ENGLISH ANNUAL RIFLE SHOOTING.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 194, 30 September 1864, Page 3

ENGLISH ANNUAL RIFLE SHOOTING.

The National Rifle Association'commenced its proceedings on July 11 at WimblcdonQCommon and continued them to the evening of* the 23rd. The weather during the period was fine and clear but very hot. Following the course" adopted in former years, a very large portion of tire common had been enclosed, and the number of prizes contended for had been considerably increased. There were Queen’s prizes, Prince of Wales’ prizes, Alexandra prizes, cups and money prizes of all sizes and value, together witli prizes given by Mr Dillwyn, M.P, Mr Bass, M.P., Lord Elclio, M. P., Messrs Hunt and Roskell, Mr Phelps, Mr Steward, Mr Lancaster, Mr Stevens, Mr Elkin gton, and other private gentlemen. The value of the prizes competed ior on this occasion amounted to rather more than £5500. A tramway had been constructed to bring the volunteers from their encampments to the shooting ground and to the refreshment booth. A now feature was introduced into the pool shooting at 200 yards. A fi<mro of a man was passed from behind a mantlet for 10 seconds, and the great object was to hit this representative of a man. Among other objects that were shot at, and which required the utmost skill and quickness of the marksman, was the “ running deer ’as it passed along a rail. The competitors for the Queen’s Prize were this year much more numerous than in any preceding one —not less than 2300 volunteers having entered for this trial of skill. The entrance fee for this conipetif ion was £l, so that a very large profit accrued to the funds of the association from this noble prize. The winning of tin’s prize constitutes the highest distinction which the association can bestow. It was won this year by Private Wyatt, of the London Rifle Brigade, who scored GO marks at 800 and 000 yards distance. The contest between the Lords and Commons terminated in favor of tiic former, who won by 10 points. The match took place in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales and a distinguished parly of the nobility. In the match between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, tho latter won. A contest which excited great interest was the international one between England and .Scotland. There were eight picked men on each side, and the distances fired at were 800, UOO and 1000 yards. The match resulted in a victory for the Scotch, the English having been the victors in the last and the previous year. The prize was a shield given by Lord Kleho. The several other prizes were contested for with much skill and spirit. The distribution of the prizes to the successful competitors took place on duly 23rd, alter which a review took place under the inspection of the cominandev-in-chief, when tho camp broke up. Reviewing tho whole proceedings—tho great number of marksmen and the quality of their shooting, the number and value of the prizes, and the excellent preliminary arrangements successfully carried out, with but one serious accident occuriug—the National Rifle Association has on tin’s occasion achieved a success of which it might well be proud. The Wntnr.EDOx Yoi.pxtkeu Pkize Siiootixo commenced 12th, our “cracks” for (ho last time exhibiting their prowess with the “ Enfield’’ —as in obedience to Horse Guards’ regulations the breechloader is immediately to supersede tho present weapon as an engine of death in (he hands of soldier and civilian. Every meeting adds largely to (lie list of marksmen ; from the further ends of the kingdom they come to shew their skill, and we now may challenge the world; fairly expecting that without Royal ordinance or statutory obligations our youth of (he next generation will rival (heir far-back ancestors by merely substituting breechloader for cross-bow. Rifle pellets are scut, through bull’s eyes at a thousand yards; and henceforth ’twill be noised abroad how tho British Isles are inhabited by armed populations, in possession of the deadly rifle, with which each doughty citizen can, at 500 yards, put ton conical balls every live minutes, into a space six feet by four. Foreign friends will note this incident:; meanwhile, wo live at home at case, “a nations of shopkeepers” tolerably capable of protect ing our wares and merchandise, onr sweethearts, our wives and our bairns. Corres-jKiiulent of the Otago Daily Times.