Nottinghamshire Rifle Association

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

There were no fewer than 85 competitors on Monday last, when the first monthly Battalion Aggregate prize, the Martini Henry Club "shoot", and the first competition for places in the R.H.R. team for Bisley this year took place. The conditions being those decided upon by the National Rifle Association for the Queen's Prize this year, made scoring more difficult and the shooting more interesting than hitherto.

The number of competitors established a "record" in these contests, and it was noticeable that amongst these were many young shots who ought to be encouraged to persevere in rifle practice and increase the shooting strength of the battalion. The alteration to the target at the short range had an appreciable effect upon the scoring. Under the Bisley regulations of this year the "bull's–eye" on the 200 yards target remains, as before, 8in. in diameter, but the diameter of the "inner" is reduced from 24in. to 16in., and that of the "magpie" from 36in. to 24in., leaving the remainder of the 4ft. square target available for the dismal disc which proclaims an "outer". The change is all in favour of the consistent shot, doing away with the wide lucky "inners" which have so often been got, and making "magpies" and "outers" more frequent.

Notwithstanding the change in the target, it will be seen from the list of 30 highest scorers printed below that some excellent shooting was done at 200 yards, Sergeant Ashworth putting on 33 points out of the 35 possible, while Sergeant Bowes and Corporal Leavesley each made 32. The competition was, however, won by Private H. Davis with the fine score of 97 points, made up of 29 at the short range and two 34's at the longer ranges. Although the weather was fine the light was changeable, and shooting at the long range difficult — which enhances the value of Private Davis's performances. Last year he won the first aggregate prize with a score of 95, and will be bad to beat this season.

There followed a list of the principal scores.

The annual general meeting of the Nottinghamshire Rifle Association will be held at the Central Armoury, Castle-gate, tomorrow, when some important business will be transacted, particularly with reference to medals offered by the National Rifle Association for competition by recruits.

The members of the Notts. and Derby district of the English Twenty Club met at the Town Butts, Nottingham, on Monday last, to compete for the club jewels, etc., the scores made upon the occasion to be added to those made at Bisley this year in the first stages of the Queen's, the Alexandra, and the St. George's Competitions, and the highest aggregates of the four scores to be the winners of the three jewels and certain money prizes contingent upon the number of entries. The conditions governing the shooting are the same as in part one of the first stage of the Queen's this year, but two sighting shots at each range are made compulsory. All the competitors were to be present at the same time and to shoot shoulder to shoulder, while all scores were required to be completed by 6.30 in the evening. No coaching was allowed, nor was previous practice down the range on the day of firing permitted, but "spotting" was allowed. Quartermaster-Sergeant Jerram, R.H.R., in the unavoidable absence of Capt. Edge, Superintendent of the Notts. and Derbyshire District, superintended the shooting throughout. The weather, which was fair and favourable to good shooting at first, suddenly changed after a few rounds had been fired at 500 yards, and proceeded in a downpour of rain which continued almost without intermission until the finish of the shooting. The bad light at the longer ranges caused some good shots to finish with scores considerably below their average shooting, but Corporal J. Leavesley. R.H.R., who has been performing very well this season, finished with 92 out of a possible 105. He began very moderately with 27 at 200 yards, but put in the highest possible at 500, and made four bull's eyes at 600, but two unfortunate magpies at this range spoiled what would have been an excellent score.

The following is the result of the shooting in order of merit:–

	200	500	600	Tl.
Corporal J Leavesley	27	35	30	92
Corporal H W Davis	33	31	27	91
Private W Cattell, 1st Northants RV	27	31	32	90
Sergeant St. Leo Smith	29	33	27	89
Corporal W Ashby	31	27	28	86
Sergeant T Loach	26	33	26	85
Private W Harris, 1st Leicestershire RV	31	29	23	83
Sergeant E Draycott	25	28	29	82
Sergeant W Comery	28	29	24	81
Sergeant A Poole	27	29	24	80
Corporal A Sibert	28	28	21	77
Private E Wilson	30	30	13	73
Sergeant J Ashworth	29	19	24	72

The sum subscribed by the members of the National Rifle Association to the testimonial to Captain Edmund St. John Mildmay, who has recently retired after holding office for 30 years as secretary of the association, amounts to £1,054 10s. 6d. The testimonial took the convenient form of a cheque. Another well-known Wimbledon official will be absent from Bisley – Colonel Archdale, who has been connected with the Statistical Department either as second in command or as chief during the last nine years. The Council of the National Rifle Association announce that the entries for the two great volunteer competitions at the ensuing meeting at Bisley, viz., the Queen's Prize and the St. George's Vase, will close on June 3rd, and those for the All Comers' matches on the 10th of that month. Last year the number of entries for the Queen's Prize was 2,313, and for the St. George's 2,231.

Colonel Harwood, whose retirement was announced last week, was the senior officer of volunteers. He had 30 years and nine months of continuous commissioned service in the volunteer force, his first commission, as ensign in the Bristol Rifle Corps, having been dated August 14th, 1859. The two volunteer officers now serving who come next are Colonel Addison Potter, C.B., of the 1st Northumberland A.V., and Colonel Pilter, Tynemouth A.V. The next in order is Colonel Sir O. Shakerley, C.B., 6th V.B. Cheshire, whose first commission was dated September 15th, 1859.

Colonel Burt, Captain of the English Twenty Club, writes that he visited Bisley Common a few days ago, and reports: "The ranges are magnificent, and the camping ground admirably situated on high and dry ground. The Council is doing everything for the comfort and convenience of competitors." Now the adoption of Bisley Common is irrevocable, Col. Burt hopes that all will forget adverse opinions, and pull together to make it a success.