The New York herald., 1874-10-04
G1 ami Grand
n, al nan
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.

NiGht-CoraEni Reception Of the Irish
Seam-Srceches, Trophies and Con-
&rntniations.
The GROWING effort OF the National Rine Asso-
ciatiun for the year took place last night al the
state Arsenal under circumstances well calculated
to make ITS energetic and enterprising members
feel proud OF their past labors. Without at all
entering into gratifying statistics IN connection
with this creditable organization 1t is enough to
know that the highest an cipatiOns or its sanguinc
pi omoters have been more than realized. The ex
hlbiton last night was in every way a triumph, ana
1t Is indeed no figure OF speech tosay THAT through
the insiIpmentality ot the men who within COM
iaratively recent PERIOD have popu.ariZed target
practice in this country new Grain the history OF
rifle shooting has been opened on this side OF the
Atlantic.
The iall meeting was nnGrestionabiy q great
success, AS showing an extraordinary improve
ment on last years shOoing on the part OF the
competing teams OF tle National Guard. BY means
OF LIBERAL Inducements generous rivalry was ere.
ared among .he best MARKS men that each regiment
could send TO the 'front.', the resut being Keen aud
exciting contests, 10 say nothing OF the practical
value and importance of such competition. The
matches given under the auspices OF the Assoc,a.
tion were virtually brought to &c minatlon on
Friday and last night was set apart Tor the dis.
position or the h0nors that through merit, fell to
tue lOL O IllOSe VINO Hau uiStfnSulShed themselves
during the ride campaign. Tue drill room OF the
Arsenal was, OF course, crowded to the DOORS the
scene being enhanced by the presence OF many
la1ies. Gay banners decorated the walls. uni.
formed Officers and men were in attendance by
the score, buC Perhaps the most conspicuous
ana attractive feature OF the place was the grand
array prizes which. prominently exposed upon
table, won the admiration Of all who Inspected
them ana az the same time gave encouragement
for luture competition when similar and doubtless
richer gifts should be contended Tor. The vic
torlous teams cf the different regiments In inN
uniform, marched into the arsenal about eight
O'Clock and drew up in line to await the Official
announcement OF the result or the contests Each
detachment upon It's entrance was greeted
with loud applause by the spectators. As Colonel
Church. OF the A'nag ana Nary Gazette President
OF the National Rifle Association, accompanied by
Lieutenant Colonel Gllderaleeve the secretary
Colonel Wlngate, ana several members of the
Irish Rife Association, including Dr. J. b. Hamil-
ton, OF Her Britannia Majesly's Thirty fourth
regiments Messrs Rigby, Wilson, Miner, John
son, Doyle, Kelly, and several officers OF the Ma
tionai Guard proceeded toward the table where
the prizes were on exhibition, cheer arose that
made tae welkln ring.
THE PRoCEEDINos.
Without much ado Colonel Church opened the
proceedings with neat address, in the course of
which he called attention 10 the fact that there
were but two occasions during the year on which
tie of1cers Of the association were brought face
to lace--once at the annual meeting in January
and again at the Distribution OF prizes. When
they met last year he thought he had a good
right TO congratulate them on the results OF the
National Riie Association. While attention was
called 10 the tact mat mucn had been accom-.
pllshed, n was also stated mat much more was
expected TO oe accomplished during lhe year. But
+ a O. ma IN nhpra
last year. the success which had marked the meet
ing TINS season was lar beyond the most sanguine
autlcipations. Colonel Church then adyerted 10
the WORK in which the ASSOCIATION had been en-
gagged. and called attention to the wonderful i'm
proyemcnts which had been made on the grounds
at Creedmoor, and in tie course OF his remarks
paid handsome trioute TO General shaer the Vice
President, aud other members ot the ASSOCIATION,
ior tue Ieal anu energy lacy had displayed IN
forwarding the interest OF the organization, as
shown III the splendld range, winch was 4 credit
to any association. What General shaicr had ac-
complished wds donc ireeis aud without reward. /
and he had been actuated solely by the desire TO
having referred 10 the excellence of the /
rlfe practice, winch had marked the iall
meeting, the speaker paid a nigh com I
pnment TO the distinguished ri1emen from
Ireland, and observed that II ihcy uld not carry
away tie trophies OF victory they came 10 win. the
American team had mncn more reason TO be
thankful than exultant tCheersl. The American !
the irish rliemcn had learned 10 respect that OF 1
thelr opponents. There reason lor general /
congratuaton IN the fact that throughout the /
contest the utmost good feeling had prevailed. 4
Ireland had sent gentlemen, not only distinguished \
iof their skill ~ rne shooting, but tsnowing all those
nigh qualities winch called or the respect OF every
man. tCheers) The recollection oi their visit 10 4
this country would remain as one of the pleasant I
est "reminiscences OF this the greatest TALL meet I
Ing ever held under the auspices OF the National i
ktle Association ana he hoped that the recent i
contest might be only the beginning 0i similar 4
mbitiDns between the rlileMen ol tac Old and New &
Worlds tJhcers,j
Lieutenant Colonel endcrsleevc then proceeded
80 read list oI tue prizes ANA each victorious f
marKsmau stepped forth he hailed wlth I
tokens OF appr0Dat1on. Especially was this the +
case when hc reQimenta teams were summoned +
10 receive the rewards Ul <leir prowess. several (
ffesentatlon ondrc6ses We're Delivered by /
Colonel church, General Mcmahon ana Others, /
and altogether the occasion was uf an
exceedingly Joyous character. several oil 4
GERS 0 the United states Army aud (
Navy were present, among them being Lieutenant (
u. j IDI aLIu mo Xu.aLI