The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-18 00:00:00

THE WIMBLEDON MEETS O,

TILE CAMP, FRIDAY,
Grantude prevails in the camp, and the hearts of visitors
and volunteers alike rejoice in the change of the weather.
The sun is covered by a thick curtain of clouds, and the
thermometer is down to 77 deg. This alteration is espe-
cially agreeable to the marksmen at the several ranges,
who, firing as they have hitherto done with the
scorching rays of the sun pouring directly down upon
the targets have experienced almost unprecedented ob-
stacles in obtaining accuracy of aim. Only those who
practice shooting frequently can understand what a diffi-
cult thing it is to fire in the unbroken glare which has
hitherto prevailed in the atmosphere during the meeting.
One provincial corps, accustomed to rifle practice only in
the subdued light of the evening, has confessed its utter
inability to do anything, and has retired in despair.
At present no accident has occurred to any volunteer,
which, as nearly a week of the meeting is past, is some-
thing to say. Two members of corps from Lancashire are,
however, suffering from sunstroke. One has been obliged
to leave for London, the other lies in the camp hospital.
The Council have just issued a notice stating their inten-
tion to disqualify for the remainder of the meeting any
person found guilty of misconduct at any of the firing
points.

The programme of the day included the shooting at the
600 yards range for the Queen's Prize, a most important
part of the competition, as only the first sixty who make
anything of a score at the three distances, of which this is
the greatest, are competent to fire in the second stage for
the £250 given by her Majesty. Comparing the scores
registered this year at the 200 yards range with those of
last year, it appears that, while at the present meeting
there have been made six scores of 19 points, twenty-three
of 18, and eighty-three of 17, there were in 1867 eight
scores of 19, nineteen of 18, and sixty-one of 17 points.
Sergeant Wortham, of the London Rifle Brigade, went to
the 600 yards' range this morning with 35 points. A
score of 52 will be a tie with the silver medal of last year.
At noon, Drum-Major Hutchinson, Ist Gloucestershire
(the same corps which had the honour of obtaining the
gold medal last year), had succeeded in securing 51
points.

The first stage of the " Windmill " Prize was cora-
menced at half-past eleven, and continued through the
day. The aggregate value of the prize is £350, divided
into one sum of £l5, one of £lO, six of £5, eight of £4,
sixteen of £3, and twenty of £2 at each of the two dis-
tances of 200 and 500 yards. The rifles and ammunition
used are the same as in the first stage of the Queen's, five
shots being allowed at each distance. At three targets
the keenest competition was kept up for a number of extra
prizes, ranging from a Snider rifle to a lady's devonport.
The distances were 500, 600, and 800 yards respectively.
At the 200 yards range the rifle used was the same as in
the Queen's Prize, first stage. At the other two
ranges any rifle was allowed. The carbine
shooting, for £5O, given by the National Rifle Asso-
ciation, and subdivided into one prize of £lO, two
prizes of £5, and ten of £3, was commenced to-day, and
was open to any bona fide efficient artillery volunteers, the
regulation carbine used by the rank and file of volunteer
artillery corps being used. The firing with Enfield rifles
for the Association Cup, with breech-loaders, at special
targets, for the first stage Duke of Cambridge and Eley
Prizes, for the Alexandra Prize, at GOO yards range, and for
the " Martin's" Prize was kept up with vigour, as was
also the shooting at the Carton targets, the pool targets,
and the running deer.

With the breech-loaders some extraordinary scores have
been made during the day. With a Westley Richards
rifle 30 rounds were fired in the three minutes allowed,
and 71 points were scored. With a henry rifle 25 rounds
were fired, and OS points were made. With the Soper
rifle 35 shots were fired, and the target was
hit each time. With a Kerr rifle 28 rounds were fired and
57 points scored. The higher score obtained at the 500-
yards' range was fired by Sergeant Gostage, Ist Berk-
shire, who, with the Soper rifle, made 8 bull's eyes, 15
centres, 14 outers, and 94 points.