included full uniform and side-arms, but no cross-belts. The bands marched with the company, but without their instruments.
Rifle Prize Shooting. Ecclesbourne Valley again re-echoed the music of the rifle on the 24th of September, in a contest of skill between the members of the first corps Cinque Ports Volunteers – i.e. – the Hastings Corps and its sub-division at Rye. The arrangements were the same as those that were made at the late fête. Lieut. Rock was in command, aided by Lieut Cooper, of Hastings, and Lieut. Bellingham, of Rye; also by Ensigns Savery and Langham. The Rev. J. Parker, as chaplain, was also present; nor was the band (Herr Kluckner’s) absent.
The First Match was for three money prizes, respectively of 8 guineas, 4 guineas, and 2 guineas. The conditions were an entrance fee of 1s., and a shooting distance of 200 and 500 yards, five shots at each. The winner of the first prize was Sergt. Weston; grandson of Mr. Weston – gardener to the Countess of Waldegrave. The second prize was taken by Privat(sic) Vicat, and the third by Sergt. John Thorpe, artist at St. Leonards.
The next Match was for the honour of victory between ten men and an officer of the 17th Kent (Tunbridge Wells) Rifles Volunteers, and the same number of the 1st Cinque Ports. The Kentish men proved themselves to be by far the best shots.
The Ladies Prize was next competed for, consisting of ten guineas worth of plate to be selected by the winner. The successful competitor was Corporal John Reeves, son of the townsman of the same name, leather-cutter &c.
The Last Match was for three extra prizes – a field-glass presented by the officers; a silver watch by M. Guedala, Esq., trumpt(sic)-Major of the 4th C.P.A.V.; and a set of gold studds(sic) by Mr. Connold.
The 4th Cinque Ports Artillery mustered for practice on the 21st of October at the Rock-a-Nore battery, and fired 40 rounds of blank cartridge, shot and shell; and, notwithstanding, a rather boisterous wind, the flag on the target, at a thousand yards distance, was struck several times.
Rifle Contest. The return match for the honour of victory, between the 1st Cinque Ports Rifles, and the 17th Kent, took place on the practice ground of the latter corps, near Tunbridge Wells on the 16th of October. The weather was of a chilly and cheerless character, and afforded but small comfort to the comparatively few lookers-on. The Hastings squad of 11 was commanded by Ensigns Savery and Langham, while the Tunbridge Wells 11 were under the command of Ensign Sperling. The latter made a higher score even than in the first match at Hastings, the total points at each range being 75, 46 & 32, whilst the Hastings 11 obtained only 60, 35 and 14. Thus the Kentish men were the victors by 44 points.
Suspension of Drills In consequence of the lamented death of the Prince Consort, the volunteer drills were suspended, and on the day set -
