New-York tribune., 1872-07-08
RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS.
THE ORGANIZATION IN THIS COUNTRY, AND
IT'S BRITISH PROTOTYPE.


THE GREAT PRIZE CONTESTS AT WiMBLE-
DoN-FORMATION AND REGULATIONS OF THE
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.
The organization of National Rifle Assocl-
ation on plan similar to that which has been so sue
cessfuy established in Great Britain, is now about 10
| be carried into effect. Some OF our leading militia
officers taken the matter in hand and after several
conferences have naugurated the Association by draw
| ing up a constitution that the project may be con-
sidered rs fairly launched 1t IL probable that during
the Spring and Summer 1t will have acquired suitable
ground for rife range, and have made its meetings
sufficiently attractive to draw together those who take
delight and interest in the important and salutary prac
tce of rifle shooting When 1t Is considered that inc
military forces of country principally composed
of militia regiments. many Of which feel an especial
pride in the efficiency of their drill and soder-like ap
pearanee 1t seems strange that with the experience OF
Great Britain and the Dominion OF Canala before u.s. IL
should have left till this late date for tho esuDsh
ment OF association which has for its object efficiency
in the use that essential OF the service-the
rifle such agency for the fostering aud encour-
aging OF rifle practice been established twenty years
ago. opening the late civil would have found
our citizen soldiers better prepared for the patriotic
| duty which devOved upon them and much time would
have been saved in the preparation of armies for the
field. But it is not only national protection tha the
forming of Rife Associations Is to be advocated In
Great Britain associations OF this nature have been
found TO have most beneficial effect upon the physlque
and morale OF the young men connected with them,
while generous rivalry has created healthful spirit
Of emulation. As the association must To some eA-
tent turn for guidance to that which has been so sue
cessfuy established in England, 1t may not be out OF
place to present few particulars OF the formation and
conduct OF the National Rifle Association OF Great
Britain, together with its organization, ana few facts
as TO its practical working with the results.
ORIGIN OF THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND
The volunteer movement, which has added 80 many
citizen soldiers TO military strength of Great Bltln
had is origin in 1882 when 1t assumed that France
presented threatening attitude toward Great Brtan
Il was then considered that the regular and militia
forces far meager in numbers to repe any IN
vasion on a large scale. The patriotism of the people
being awakened by the insecure position of the country
and being appealed 10 by eminent leaders. large num-
bers of men, various and grades OF society," eA
hibed willingness organize volunteer force winch
should be auxiliary TO the regular and militia forces ana
which should be thoroughly disciplined that III the
event of a war; it would be enabled to undertake the
protrction OF the country and allow the other forces
TO be employed on colonial foreign service. so popu-
lar was the movement that the Immediate responses 10
tho calls for the OF local corps, numbered fuy
100000 which number by the end OF 1901 was lncfeaseu
o @ men, and the numbers have gone on increasing
wear by year. and the total volunteer force consists
OF about men, divided into 297 corps, OF which IL
are light horse 22l artillery 10 engineers, mounted
rifles and 1909 rifles. But il must not be supposed that
these figures give the entire number OF the people Who
in an emergency would be found efficient for military
service the greater portion OF those VINO joined the
volunteer force in early days have retired from the
ranks which have been filed up by succession OF
younger men, and these retired warriors would be at
once available for active service in OF need The
united testimony of all inspectors is that the force mas
year by year. advanced in general efficiency in disci-
plne, in drill, and in the use OF the rifle
The volunteer, on joining corps, Is required to pro-
iii ont al a
usually an annual subscription. When he renders him
self efficient which consists in attending certain mum
Der OF drills and firing annually GO rounds at the target
his corps receives him from the Governmental capt.
taon grant OF 81 &c per annum, which, with his SUB
soripon makes fund out of which is provided rne
range armory, and supplementary stpends allowed TO
the Government instructors IL he here stated that
Government provides for each battalion an adJutant
and for each company a sergeant instructor, who re-
ceve appointments for meritorious conduct IN the
regular army and the salaries they receive from Gov
ernment are in Of the crack volunteer regiments
nearly quadruped by the received from the corps to
which they are attached; whie IN all lhe SaldoS "'o
more than doubled
FoRHATIoS OF RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS.
When the volunteer movement first came into opera
toD each regiment was raised and acted independently
Of the other had its rifle range, ana the trias OF
skin in the use OF the rife confined TO the members
of each individual regiment The inherent love OF Held
and athletic sports that has always characterized the
English people, naturally drew into these regiments the
flower OF the youth OF the land, and class OF hardy
active men, the importance OF whose services any Gov
crnment possessing such ma eral at its disposal cOuld
not fail to view with satisfaction and desire to make
available should necessity demand it, The Government
consequently encouraged the movement, and. in order
IN secnre reserve force of need. determined to
give the volunteer system Thorough organization un-
der tho control OF the War Once. 1t therefore supplied
the force with the arms and ammunition requisite,
though it be remarked that in few instances
such was the zeal hown the beginning OF the move
men that corps did not wait for the Government
assistance. but provided everything themselves The
volunteers thus finding themselves well equipped and
under the gs OF the Government displayed consider
able military ardor, and soon the leading marksmen III
the various corps desired wider field for competition
than their own regiments This led to the Institution OF
County Rifle Associations, which, at stated periods.
meet for competition, when valuable prizes are com
peted for and awarded to the winners These count
prize associations became 80 highly popular that the
next step for groups OF counties to form district
associations which every year hold their district meet
ings IN which prizes competed for not only by the
volunteers OF the respective districts, but some compe
tions are open TO all comers" The system finally de-
welcomed into Grand National Rifle Association for the
Encouragement of Rifle Shooting, which, however has
not superseded the County and District Associations,
but forms grand focus to which are drawn the prize
marksmen of entire country and at whose meetings
special prizes presented by the Queen the royal family
the Ministers of State and the public at large are sub
ject competition. At the annual gathering at Wmbe'
don the principle of special prizes for all comers in
troduced at the district meetings has been enlarged,
that it embraces the msrksmen Of the Colonies anh the
various countries Of Europe. In fact, the few weeks
annual encampment the famous Surrey down has
now become great national meeting at which may be
found not only thelvolunteer przemen and the crack
shots of the country at large but representation shots
yrom Canada India and Australia, well some OF
the famed marksmen OF Belgium Switzerland. and the
Tyro In addition to the meetings OF the various assoe
atons here mentioned the friendly rivalry that has been
created among the volunteers has led to the practice OF