WIMBLEDON RIFLE MEETING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 367, 29 October 1863, Page 4

WIMBLEDON RIFLE MEETING.

THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH. [From the Scotsman, July 25.] Wimbledon Common is a wide expanse of gorse, heather, and short grass, such as one finds on the downs. With the exception of a single little dell, it is an al most unbroken level. At ordinary times its only frequenters are donkeys, geese, with now and then a nursery unaid and children from one of the trim villas which surround it, or a stray gipsy. In the last generation it was, like Chalk Farm and Copenhagen Fields, a favourite spot for duels, and the old windmill still marks the usual rendezvous for these meetings. Through the kindness of Earl Spencer, the Lord of the Manor, the use of a great part of the Common has been granted to the National Rifle Association for its annual meetings. Entering the enclosure by the main gateway, the visitor finds himself at the head quarters of a little camp, gay with flags and pennons.

Around the pavilion of the Executive Council, over which floats the banner of the Association, representing the archer of old England and the rifleman of today aide by aide, are clustered the smaller tents of subordinate departments, In one Captain Mildmay, the secretary, sits besieged by all sorts of applicants and complairiers. In another, Colonel Bewes and his assistants are busy compiling statistics of the meeting, mounted orderlies every now and then dashing up to the door, with despatches containing the results of the shooting. In others, clerks are entering the names of competitors, or selling tickets for pool shooting ; printers are setting up programmes and orders of Council, and telegraphists are flashing along the magic wire to distant shires the news that Tompkins of ours has won a medal and Jones a Whitworth, on learning which, as we can fancy, there is much rejoicing in their respective corps, and the healths of the heroes do not fail to get duly toasted. In front is a large “ screen ” posted over with notices of matches, lists of winners, announcements of disqualifications, and advertisements of missing articles. To the right is the exhibition tent, presenting a rich and glittering array of goblets, vases, statuettes, and plate of all descriptions, frbfh which winners can select their prizes. As may be expected, the decoration of these objects generally bears reference to the design of the Association—rifles, riflemen and targets, in gold and silver, and giouped in every possible way, are to be seen on all sides, and I noticed a clock well calculated to charm enthusiastic artillerymen, it being in the shape of a mortar, with a shell bearing the dial, imbedded in its gaping mouth. Further on is the windmill, and beside it the little white cottage in which Lady Anne Elcho and Lady Bury have their quarters. The little oblong tent near at hand is the lodging of Captain Mildmay and is a model snuggery under canvas, combining witbiu the narrow compass manifold devices for luxury or comfort. A little parterre of scarlet geranuims and yellow calceolarias surrounds the tent, and adds to its ornamental aspect. Continuing our way still to the east, we suddenly round a bend and see tlie lofty ranges of white tents which form the Volunteer camp gleamiug among the furze. The morning bugles have sung out, and walking between the lines, the Volunteers may be seen half in and half out of their tent 3 in all stages of undress, some smoking the matutinal pipe, others indulging in a little larking, and one or two of a stoical turn, insist on going through all the experience of camp life and scorn any modification of its independence, are cleaning their own boots, in a way that gives more glow to their own faces than polish to the leather. Nearly 500 Volunteers officers and rank and file, have this year availed themselves of the camp accomodations, which is not only cheap and comfortable, but saves them the trouble of going up and down to town, and procures them genial, and we may say jolly society. At the extremity of the camp is Victoria Crescent, 80 called on account of its shape and of its being tlie quarters of the Victoria Rifles, whose kitchen, excavated in the heath, and cellar well stored with excellent liquor, have contributed liberally to the conviviality of the gathering. In fine weather this camping-out is particularly enjoyable, but of course it was al mo3t out of the question during the two last meetings, when, as a graphic observer described it, the Common was “ grass to the eye and water to tlie foot.” The night meetings, in the glare of the camp fires, also added a picturesque and pleasant feature to the life on the heath. Last year there were great complaints of the commissariat, but on tlie present occasion a contractor from Manchester, who has had a good deal of experience in catering for Volunteers, has managed to give general satisfaction. Every day during the meeting about 500 persons breakfasted dined, and took tea in the large refreshment marquee which is to the west of the Executive tents. That the riflemen have had their appetites maintained in excellent condition by their exercises may be inferred from the fact that they consumed 6 tons of joints, 200 hams, 1250 lbs. of salmon, 2000 veal pies, 1000 fruit tarts, 2000 quartern loaves, 10,000 cakes and buns, 2 tons of potatoes, 2000 quarts of shelled peas, 400 lbs. of tea, 200 lbs. of coffee, 7200 bottles of Bass and 3600 of stout, in addition to 40 barrels of Guineas, 50 barrels of home brewed, and 24,000 bottles of lemonade, seltzer, and soda-water. The whole of the provisions were prepared on the spot in ovens promptly improvised by Mr. Jennison, the contractor. Another article which has been largely consumed has been ammunition, of which not far short of 200,000 rounds were sold on the ground. It was supplied from the magazine in Hyde Park, and was dispensed to Volunteers at the rate of 6d. for ten rounds.

So much, then, for the camp, in front of which the butts stretched far away to the other side of the heath. At the extreme west were the 1000 yards sighting ranges, quite apart from the rest; but the other ranges at the same distance could only be procured by crossing diagonally the ranges at 500 and 600 yards. The targets were placed close to each other in a long line—so close, indeed, that it was not surprising that a marksman now and then mistook the point at which he had to aim. About a score were thus disqualified for competing for prizes, and the number included experienced riflemen like Lord Elcho, Lieutenant Hawker, <fcc. The running deer and pool targets were situated in the little dell which I have already mentioned, where the ground sank in front of the Volunteer camp. Altogether. the number of targets was this year increased to sixty, and it is rot improbable, that on account of the continually growing number of competitors,

a further addition, will have to be made next year. The match been the Lords and Commons, at which the Prince and Princess of Wales were present, attracted the greatest number of visitors, but as far as good shooting went, it sank in interest below the contests for the Queen’s prize, and the International Shield. The Parliamentary competition was confined to the 200 and 500 yards ranges, and the highest score at either was 26 to seven shots. The final stage of the Queen’s, however, was shot for at 800, 900, and IQOO yards; and at the two first, Sergeant Roberts, the winner, made 23 and 26, and 16 at the 1000. in the International, the shooting, however, was better still, for as many as 55, 56, and 43 were made at 800, 900, and 1000 yards respectively, with fifteen shots at each. 'During the latter match, an eager circle surrounded each shooting post. Evei-y voice was hushed to a whisper, and the targets were anxiously scanned with powerful glasses. The eight champions of England, of whom Lord Bury was Captain, wore on their right arms the red cross of St. George. The blue cross of St. A ndrew was the badge of the • Scottish eight, who were under the command of Captain Horatio Ross, and included not only the veteran himself but three of his sons. On both sides the Whitworth rifle was in favour, it being fired by all save Mr. Farquharson, who shot with a Henry, and Mr. Ferguson (who is an Inverness silversmith) with a Beasley. All the English lay down on their bellies to tire, with the exception of Colonel Halford, who sat. There was more diversity in the positions of their rivals. Captain Ross, and his two sons Hercules and Colin, the Master of Lovat, and Mr. Ferguson lay down, while Captain Edward Ross and Lord Eleho sat, and Mr Farquharson adopted the singular attitude which is generally coupled with his name, lying on his back with his left arm under his head. Great curiosity was manifested by the Southrons to witness this odd method of firing, which has r.ot as yet crossed the border. The Scotch fired very slowly, settling themselves into position and taking aim with great coolness and deliberation. The English were much more rapid in their proceedings, so that they had finished the first round at 800 about an hour before the Scotch, who, however, succeeded in making three more points than the others. Captain Ross made eight bulls’ eyes in succession, and exceeded by one the highest score on the other side. Lord Bury made six bulls’ eyes runniug, and Lord Ducie and Mr. Hercules Ross five. At the 900 yards the Scotch were less successful, i ‘y one of those accidents which even the ablest and most experienced marksmen cannot always guard against—the slipping of a bullet partly down the barrel when sighting —Mr. Ross’s last shot was a miss. He made four bull’s-eyes in succession out of nine, and scoi*ed 51, which was only five below the highest of the English (Capt Heaton, 56.) Before the shooting at the first range was over. Mr. Hercules I loss, who is connected with the Madras Civil Service, and is home on furlough, had felt a touch of the ague, from which he had stiff-red in the East. lie said nothing about it, however, until the gun fired for lunch, and he was then so bad that it was impossible to disguise it. Under these circumstances, Captain U<*ss proposed to the English to close the contest, or, at least to postpone the oilier ranges till next day. 1 his suggestion was nn-t by a refusal, and the match, proceeded, Mr. 11. Moss, in spite of his indisposition, manfully doing his best., and scoring 50. The same indomitable pluck sustained him on this occasion as enabled him during the mutiny to hold several thousands of Indians .in check, when endeavouring to cross the ferry on the Gogra river,potting the pandies ” whenever a boatful tried to leave its shelter on the opposite side —a service for which he received the special thanks .of the Governor-General. At the 900 only three of the English were under 50, while only three of the Scotch leached that number, and the former on the total score at that range were 32 a-head. Fortunately, as it proved, for the English, they Were able to complete ten of their 15 shots at the last range that night, when the wind and weather were on the whole favourable. The S-'Otch bad the whole of this range to go through the.next morning, when the wind was much stronger and more dislurhing. 'l he effect, of this change of cir cunistances on the shooting may he inferred from the fact that, while the evening before the English made an a\enge of 23 they made only thirteen next morning, Lord Bury then missing three times, and Mr. Ashton five times running. That in spite of having such serious disadvantages to contend against, the Sc-.-tch should have scored even as ma iy as they did was greatly to their credit. Captain Boss made as many points as the highest of the English, Sergeant Smith, but. the rest of his baud followed longo intervals. An hour or two he fore the match concluded, it began to be apparent that there was little hope for the Scotch ; but still it was ju .t possible that they might, retrieve their ground, and whenever the black bull’s eye on the target was obliterated by the white disc of the marker, it was gretted with an encouraging cheer. The result, however, was that the Champions of the thistle were beaten by eighty-three. There is, however, this encouragement for the North, that if they only continue to improve in their shooting in the same degree as they have done since the year before, they will not fail to gain the shield. The Scotch score exceeds that of 1862 by no less than 275 marks, while the English have improved by only 190 marks. On the whole, the results of the meeting hkve been highly satisfactory. Not only has the n unber of competitors shown an increase as compared with the yeat before, but, as is »ven more satisfactory, the shooting ua*> been un formly and decidedly superior. It is uo secret tbut during the first few days of the

meeting its continuance was almost threatened by the unfortunate accidents which happened to the soldiers who were engaged in marking on the new Swiss system. Mr. Kinglake, in his History, tells us of the importance which is attached to the well being of the Guards, and how .nervously anxious the commanders are lest their safety should be compromised in any way. -Hence the wounding of eight Guardsmen in a couple of days very naturally excited the alarm and indignation of the officers in charge of the fatigue parties. For a day or two an unpleasant degree of irritability pervaded the relations between the regulars and Volunteers, but in the end good came out of evil. The riflemen proved the heartiness of their interest in the meeting by themselves performing the duties of markers, and necessity, the mother of invention, led to the introduction of a system of marking which had all the merits of the Swiss method while being free from its dangers. It is now generally admitted that while the Swiss'systein by which the hits are pointed out on the actual target, may be safely used in such matches as the international, where the competitors are few, cautions, and experienced, it is not. adapted for cases where there is a rush of excited and not always expert riflemen. If everybody rigidly adhered to th 6 rules, then all might be well ; but the slightest irregularit}’ involved serious danger. Under the modified arrangement, by ..which the hits are indicated on a model of the taroat, the marksmen are enabled to see where the bullets struck, while the markers do not need to quit their shelter. The propitious weather has also been an auspicious novelty. Judging from our experience hitherto such a combination as a Volunteer., demonstration, a visit from the Prince of Wales, and the anniversary of St. Swithin, might have been expected to bring down the rain in bucketfulls, and its absence may therefore raise our hopes that the clerk of the weather is 1 ss adverse to the Volunteers than he used to be.