Image TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage Tile
Image size: 5120x7168 Scale: 35% - PanoJS3
Page overview thumbnail

Article text

Ti'THE -VOLUNTEERS.
?' WAOTOSAK. JTMUMLG ASSOOIAKIOW.
? (From Tuesday's Gazette:) ? '*' ' ''
Tho following despntch nnd its enclosure, received
by His Excellency tho Governor from tho Itight Hon.
tbe Secretary of Stnto for tho ColonUo. is published for
general informntion. By HirExcclloney'a command, '
j ? ? - Grco. -VisnnoN, Treasurer.
^Treasury, Melbourne, 10th May, 1801.
?:?;?.' i ?? ', ' ! (CorV.y '..;.'.?'
National Rifle Association, 11 Pall Mall east,
, ,.;,;23 January, 1851/ ?
My Lord Duke, — I havo tho honour to inform your
Graco that, in' accordarito with Her Majesty's' dosire,
colonial volunteers will ho entitled to compete for 'Tho
Queen's Prize,' nt our nnmul prizo meeting, on the
sninc terms as the volunteers, of Grent Britnin; and I
havo further tho honour to inform your Graco thnt,
with a viow still further to' connect tho colonies with
the mothor country in . tho matter of riflo' shooting, tho
council of the National Rifle Association hove resolved
to givo ono silver modal' to colonial rifle associations. ,,
These medals will.b'o allotted in tho proportion 01 ono
to each colony, on application from t ho colonial authori
ties sanctioned by tho Colonial office.
Tho Hixtory and Proceedings of the National R'Jlc
Association (18C0), containing our rules, etc., and tho
statistics of tho Wimbledon prize meeting, being now
published, I will bo glad to know if your Graco would
wish to send any copies to tho colonies, as they might
perhaps bo of use in tho formation of colonial associa
tions. I have, etc., Er.cno,
Chairman of tho Council of the N.R.A.
P.S —Tho next nnnual prize meeting of tho National
Rifle Association will take place early in July.
Ilis Grace tho Duke of Newcastle, K.G , etc.
' (ClItCL'TiAIl — VlCTOMA.)
Downing street, 6th February, 18G1.
Sir,— I transmit to you a copy of n letter Irom Lord
Elcho, the Chairman of tho Council of tho National
Riflo Association, informing mo that, ill accordance with
Her Majesty's desire, colonial volunteers will be entitled
to compete for ' The Queen's Prize,' at their annual
prizo meeting, upon tho samo terms ns tho volunteers of
Great liritnin, nnd that tho association will givo 0110
silver medal to colonial rifle associations.
I transmit to you, for general information, copies of
tho association's proceedings, containing their rules, etc
I havo to request thnt you will mnko Her Mnjesty'a
grncious desiro publicly known in tho colony under
your government. You will, at the snmo time, tnko
such s'eps ns may appear to you best adapted for giving
effect to the intentions of tho association, and will mako
application through me for their silver medal, when any
organised body or bodies cxisl in tho colony under
your government who are desirous ot cmipeting for it.
I havo tho honour to be, sir, your most obedient,
humblo servant, Newcastle.
Governor Sir IT. Barkly, etc.
CAitLTON v. NoiiTir Melbourne. — Tho conquering
match of three, between these companies, was fired on
Tuesday, on tho shooting ground of the latter, the Carl
ton men, as will be seen, winning by a largo majority of
points, and their shooting being rcmarkubiy even and
good.
Cahlton. , JOOYds. 300Yds. Total.
Captnln ItadcllOi! ? « 6 13
Assistant-Surgeon Robertson.... ? 3 10
Sergeant Anderson ? 1 0 13
Sergeant Lindsay ? 0 6 12
Serjeant Douglas ................ 1 . fi 12
M'Clure ? ...,..'..?...... » 8 12
Cameron ? 5 5 10
Fonyth ? ? ?..'.v.i! '? 1 ' .0 13
Slmllnrd ? .;.;',..... .;..?; ',:l 7 13
M'Crcdlo ? ?.'..V.. 5 5 10
Totals. ...'......;... :.y..... - 63 - ??«' ? 117,
Nnnxn HEtnoDttNE. ?? - .--''? ? i
Capfnln Irving ......'..?....,?:..:; ??-? » ?? '3 30
Adams ? .;...'...?. .1-0 '-: . -3- 0
Cook ? ...: 3 s 8 ?
Davles ? ..,-?.',-;. »«'-' i '?' * 0
Dent ? ....;.?;;.;;.-;'.?! ^.'8 '5 13
Gawm ? ;.;.'. '-6 :t ' l!i
Holland ? ....-.;;....;...;. !'''il' 2 3
M-Donaltl ? I..........'...; ??-?*? 3 0
Walton ? : ? ..1.. ...... ''? 6 2 J
Williamson..... ? ?.?--»?: 3 10
Totals ? ,.;.......; .61. 36 87
Majority for Carltonl....... 12 13 30
Promotion. — In Tuesday's Gazette is tho notico of tho
promotion of Sergeant M. Maclean, of tho Bacchus Marsh
Volunteer Mounted Rifles, to be a lieutenant in that
corps.
Parade at Princes Bridge. — Several hundred
volunteers, chiefly rifles, mustered on Saturday, boforo
Colonel Pitt, but in consequence of tho rain littlo was
done beside the actual parade.
Gehlono Mounted Rifles. — Pursuant to a general
order from head quarters, Captain Boll of th is troop has
ordered the names of eighteen of its mem bers t-- bo
struck off tho roll, for non-attendance at drill.
Sydney Volunteers. — A telegram announces tho
presentation of a pair of colours to the Pnddington rifles,
on Saturday. After the ceremony a parade and sham
fight took placo in rear of the Victoria Barracku.
Richmond Riflks.— Tho following men were, by
their firing on Monday and Tuesday, entitled to enter
for the matches of the Kiflo Association: J. Maccaud,
B. Strachan, E. Masters, A. H. Massina, M. H. Murti
mer, Astloy, and T. Stephenson.
National Riplb Association. — An offer of two
hundred and fifty guineas is made (by advertisement)
by a gentleman, whoso name ia not given, provided a
like sum be subscribed in Victoria, for the purchase of a
Champion Cupi of five hundred guineas, to bo given to
tho winner ol the Queen's Prizo at the grand meeting
at Wimbledon, always supposing such volunteer to bo a
Victorian.
TitBAsuiiY v. Government Printino Office.—
Five volunteers from each of these offices met at tho
Sandridge butts, on Saturday, ia friendly contest. Tho
representatives of tho Treasury scored 55, and their op
ponents 5G, thus winning by ono point. The ranges
woro 200, 400, and COO yards ; five shots at each dis
tance. A return match will take place on the first
Saturday in June.
Volunteer Coitrs in India.— Tho Government of
India has issued a circular letter to each of the pro
vinces, tho object of which is tho encouragement and
promotion of the formotion of volunteer corps. A series
of rules is laid down for tho guidance of such bodies,
framed upon tho basis of the war ofllco circulars of
February and March 18G0, with such modifications as
may maka them suitable for application in India.
CASTLEMArxB Rifles. — Somo very good shooting was
mado on tho 8th inst., ot 200 and 400 yards, by diflerent
members of this company, who aro working hard to
qualify themselves to take nart in tho different matches
which will ho fired on the Queen's Birthday. Carlisle,
Merrifield, Spencer, and Sergeant Green especially dis
tinguished themselves, tho first named scoring 17 in the
ten shots, Green making 14, and the other two 13 each.
About twenty members appeared on parade, on the samo
day, in their uniform, which tho local papers describo as
very smart and soldierlike, and the whole are expected
to ho completed fur the grnnd display on tho 24th.
The Gariiialdians. — What Garibaldi has to do
with a Victorian volunteer corps it la hard to say. Tho
Colllngwood men, howovbr, havo an idea or two about
tho samo which they aro endeavouring to put into
form. A meeting waa hold on Tuesday by somo of
those interested, Mr. John EdwardB, jun., in tho chair,
at which resolutions were passed affirming the desira
bility of forming a company of rifles to bo called the
Garibaldians, each member to proviclo his uniform, —
tho same to consist of grey trousers, rod shirt, and tho
Garibaldi hat, and the standardheight of tho men to bo
6 ft. 0 in. ?
Carlton Rifles.— A number of men from this com
pany met at the oandrldgo butts, on Saturday, to decide
by competition upon tho seven who Bhall represent them
in the matches of tho Rifle Association. Captain Rad
cliflo was chosen unanimously, and exempted from the
chances of the trial. That oflicer, however, waived tho
prlvilcgo, and fired with the others, standing fifth on
tho list of thoso chosen. Tho other six were— Thomp-
son, Cameron. M'Cluro, Smith, Sergeant Douglas, and
Connor t tho two latter were chosen on Monday morn
ing, having tied with Miller, Parry, and Sorgoant
Undsay, on Saturday, and' consequently having had to
flro again. ? .
Expknsk of Volunteer Fokoe in Great Bri
tain.— It \iil\ bo seen by the subjoined extract from
the Army and Navy Gazelle, that tho comparative ex
pense of the volunteor forco at homo Is much less than
in this colony. Tho estimate of tho cost to Victoria of
4000 men ia, according to Mr. Verdon, £30,000, or jC7
10s. per man per annum, whilst in Englund leso than £1
per man is sufficient for this year. ' Tho £133,270 to bo
voted for tho Volunteer Corps, though inmparatively
.?mull in amount, is particularly Interesting in its
detail j. The Yeomanry Cavalry havo tho lion's sharo of
this voto, £91,811 odd boln,,' devoted to that branch of
the volunteer servico j jE4l,9Ullo ? other volunteer corpB.'
Moro than half of tho last named sum, viz., £27,376, la
devoted to tho pay and forago allowanco or 150 adjutants
of riflo volunteer corps at 10s,, n dayi the contingent
allowances to the aamo, at tho rato of £4 per company
per annum, amount to £4200.'
Gbblono Artillery.— It seems that th« r~l ~' ?
are not to bo allowed the privilege of forming Cl?n5«« I
tecr Artillery Corps after all. tfuuh 0 Tl \lBJi VoIun- I
nil Interested therein, Mr. Verdon has refu e-] gU8t of I
for'! Tt&l t0 88nCli°a th° ?»''-,isbffl1nt°of 'u8£ 1
FntiNO for tiik WiiiTwqnTn; Ripm— Tht 9
' was 'concluded yesterday, and tho priza-Cnn i 1 w ?lalch 9
the First St:; Kiltfn Rifles, ;whofoP tang Av& i™?' «t 9
vir.., 0 points at 300 yards' 0 at fiOO 'nn/l 2, r?n ° lont- 9
19. The second! third, and fuiirth on ?ho ll? '°' in °11 9
ge^nt Douglass, J, W' Camoron,'and-L Thorn', 'orc **'? 9
nre ~d.i men, and their reapecivfe^ 1
RoYAf V.V. Aimi.r.KRv.— Tho following i,'- 1
order hns been issued from tho Volunteer m'Ka|la 9
?' Melbourne, Kith April, 1-01. In JS' Cfflc6:- i
Generat, Order of fhh day's date,' ,°orite,W^» 9
AHHierywiil (Iro a en u to of 21 mini n- *i t, '?'?
bridge bnrrncks, at noon, onjtbo 24th 'n»t in h rrinco's
Her -UajP8|y'a birthday. The usu.l parat'l eldTi, ot
day is postponed until further orders in con*? ' that
the dcatl..of Her Royal Il^hnees thoCeSbf T?-!
Postponement op. the Review.— In c™,m,,
of the ilcntliuf Her RuyM Highness th' S''000
Kent, the review of tlmvolunfet which ™,° I? °f
token -plnoo on tin. Queen's Uirthdny, his bfeJ . UiT°
pone,! until ?the 20th of- Juno- pro*?,' the d»y 0/ ?I -
Msusty Wemion. It lmg nlso been arraS th. -I
shall b» held upon Em, raid HM.|n. proforewo to 1,
MelbDUrno rnceeoursb, the! former site beinu a|,n.l tio
account of the facility ,y.th which li S 'S?
which In the now uinottled stnto of. tho weather ? h.'
object ol Importance to oil. ' ' - 'u^ucr- ' an
IGekloso RiFLFs.-Mtich dissatisfaction has hMn
felt, and a great deal of indignation was expreZl fc
the moo of tho Geelong Regiment at a me^Ung which
took place lost week, consequent . upon, tho nceS
reply from Colonel I'itt to their memorial resncciLl3
distribution of rifljs. In this reply Colone U- t fa hd
that ho had considered it neccSBary toarm tho rn T
politan companies ? before thoso' of Geelonir -n.,i T
country districts, nB Mclbourno was tho nh™ m V
likely to bo attacked first. Under such c'rcuml S'
he thought thnt. asGeelong and tho county 7|S
had received 80 rcr cent, ofthc rifles imported, to cm.hU
tho different corps to train nnd compete in the ,liX I
matches., Ihoy had had their mil aharo and consider^
011. In time, no doubt, they would be fully eot &
'I his reply was l»y thoju present deemed moat unE
factory, and several strong remarks being mado nZ
its subject matter and style, Colonel Redo lea thoZt.
to put an end to tho discussion. l'°cnalr
Bendioo Rifles.— It has been arrange* that snchif
tbo men of this corps who Intend to tnko part in th,
review and sub«equent matches nt Castlemalue on iw ?
Queen's Birthday, will start on the 23rd in two parties
thn ono leaving Sandhurst at 2 p.m., and the other at
5.30 p.m., by Cohb's coaches. In tho meantimo all hands
havo been practising, and fifteen havebeenchosenajtho
champions of their company, first proving their fitness i
for tho nflico in the prescribed form, viz ,by vannuishinc ?
all competitors at tnrgct practice. Tho 'names of tho 's
elect, and their relativo positions nro hero given Sirlr i
six competed at 200, -100, nndGOO.ynrds, fivo roundsat
ench range. G. J. Mariln, 1G points; Charles Flv 11.
J. G. Gnnde.13: J. B. Gould, 12; L. Richards 12 1 ii*
B. W. Clmppln, 12: John Early; 12; C. Davidson' 12.'
Sergeant Walker, 11 ; R. T. Fox, 11 j James Anderson'
1 1 ; F. Hodges, U ; Hoss K. Macartney, 10 j Moran 0,
Hf ndcrsnn, 0. Tho last two woro tied by several, bul
in the firing off succeeded in 'getting themsclvej
placed.'
Trial of M'Leav. — Tho trial of Alexander M'Lcan
for the assault upon his wifo, took placo on Wednesday
It nppcnicd in evidence that the prisoner was suffering'
from tho effects of recent intoxication; that ho waj
olhcrwiao a most intelligent and well-conducted man
n splendid swordsman, and a thorough soldier; had!
raised himself by his merit to the. rank of lieutenant- I
had served in the Crimea, and had been decorated with I
the Turkish order of the Medjid of the first class, and I
had received testimonials from his former commanding I
officers. He had been much excited during tho wu| j
by a disagreement between himsolf and his landlord ' I
who had endenvoured ta eject him, and, scarcely know- j
ing whnt ho was nbnut, ho had struck his wife with tbo
edge of the sword, instead of the flat, an ho had. j
imagined. Ho had fancied ho heard noises in the honse, j
and had taken tho sword for his own defence. The pre. J
vioug good character of M'Lcon had its weight with the ]
jury, and the result was a verdict of misdemeanour, with j
a recommendation to mercy. , j
Newly Invented Rifle — Tho following description ' I
of a new breech-loading rifle, from the United Serciu j
Qazttle, may not be uninteresting toour readers:— 'Tha j
rifle is now admitted to bo ' the queen of weapons,' but I
wo want alBo a queen of rifles — n royal dignity to which j
no weapon can bo promoted until wa have found a per. , j
feet) brecch-loador, cfilcient for its purpose, safe fron , I
breech explosion, and so simplo in its construction as to I
be easily handled amid the noise, contusion, and ex- j
citcm^nt of the battlo-fleld. Having been favoured j
with a sight of the recently- invented breech-loader of ]
Mr. Thomas Wilson, wo are very sanguine in bellovlog j
that tho above desiderata ora about to bo fulfilled. Mr. j
Wilson's invention, which may bo applied to any {
F.nficld rifle, is simply a plug, through which what Ii I
technically called a 'cottar' passes, just as tho bolt of j
a door-lock is shot whon tha key is turned, In this I
case, however, neither key, nor screw, nor spring Is no. I
ccssary. The cuttar is pushed back with tho thumb I
whon the plug is to be taken out, and driven homo by I
the eamo simple and always available machinery, when j
tho cartridge has been inserted, and the plug has to bo j
returned. Threo or four simplo movements loadlhogun; j
and so rapidly are they performed, that the piece mtjr I
bo fired with ense six times within tbo minute. Mr. j
Wilton's invention has been inspected by tho highest ]
authorities in the army, as well, as having been sub- I
mitted to the severest test by tho select committee -t I
Woolwich. Wo bolieve we aro not for wrong in stating j
the result to he n very earnest end general approval of ]
tho invention.' . I
South A ustrali ax Rifles. — A good deal ofparsding, j
and shooting, and meeting, and speechifying, and, last I
but not lcatt in importance, of dining, hns been going I
on among the volunteers of tho sister colony of South I
Australia. Tho Virginian volunteers wero Inspected by 1
Colonel Blyth on tho 21th ult., and wound up tho da/j 1
- proceedings with n dinner, at which tho usual loyal j
toasts weru drunk, and the duo amount of compHraenLs j
p»«?ed betvecn officers nnd men. A number of saull j
matches took pince at Nonnanvillo, Yankalilla, on ths 1
1st inst., in a storm of wind and rain sufficient to damp ' ]
tho courage of any but the most enthusiastic volunteer. j
A dinner followed, with tho usual concomltantsof speech j
nnd song, and the hilarity of tho evening drowned even j
tho remembrance of tho afternoon's drenching. A mem- I
ber of tho I'ort Company of Rifle3, F. L. Wyman, is 1
abont to leavo for England, and will bear witli him a I
certificate from the commanding officer that ho hu I
attended regularly at drill and has obtained a marks- I
man's medal ; which certificate will enable him to take |
lessons ut Hvtho, and to tuko part in any meeting of tho I
National Riflo Association. Tho First Gawlor Hifles bars I
been firing for tho purpose of classifying tho men, and. I
Lieut. I,nutit and Privates Gregory and Haldane ob- I
tnincd first class qualifications. Tho Hastings lately g
brought 000 rifles, a gift to tho colony from tho Imperial I
Government. Tho members of the lUflo Association ara I
taking active measures to arrange a grand meeting of I
marksmen from all quarters on tho occasion of tao |
Queen's Birthday, for the furtherance of which object I
the influence of His Excellency the Governor as Freji- I
dent of the association is not wanting. I
$