The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1884-12-09 00:00:00

RIFLE VOLUNTEER DINNER.

The annual dinner in coicnection with H Company,
lot D.R.V., took place at the Crown Hotel on
Thursday, under the presidency of Captain Watts,
and was largely attended by Volunteer, and friends
of the corps—the former mustered 16, and the whole
company exceeded 120. The company mustered at the
Orderly-room, and marched, with the band, under
command of Lieut. Thurston, to the Crown Hotel It
was feared that owing to the illness of Mr. Ryer.,
the proprietor, much of the hilarity of the evening
would be curtailed, but • change for the better in his
condition, and an expressed wish on hia part that no
curtailment should take place, was a welcome
intelligence. The advent oi visitors into the
spacious room evoked outburst, of cheering, and the
sergeant-at-niaos, ranng the insignia of office, pre-
ceding the Mayor and Corporation. was a special
feature of the evening, the mace being deposited on
the table in front of hi, Worship. The chairman
was supported by the Mayor of Blandford (Mr. It
B. Smith). Mr. IL R. Farquharson, Rev. C. H.
Fynes.Clinton (Rector), Major F. T. Johno, Rev. R.
R. Watts (Stourpaine), Rev. A. S. Littlewood (Turn.
worth). Rev. F. Salmon (Langton), Rev. I) Pierce
(Monkton), Mr. H. R. Thurston, Major Dashwood
durgeon Daniel, Q 0.Y.0., Leint. E. Caatleman
Smith 3rd Dorset), Captain Stone, Cant iin Rawlins,
Assistanb-Surgeon Spooner, Lieuta. Vheatley. House
buff, Thurston, DIL V.. r. C H. Flower, Alder-
man Ball, Councillors .1. Durden, J Stewart, J. J.
Ilan, J. J. Goldie, F. Paddock, Sir. W. H Atkinson,
Re. The vice-chair was occupied 131 Mr.
Wareham, and in various parts of the room we
ed obsery Trooper linspitt, nt-Major Ylint,
Q.0.Y.C., Masers. 0. S. Roe. F. VILIUNT, W. H.
Cramp, and others A substantial dinner was
well served by Root Myer., and much enjoyed.
On the removal of the cloth, the usual loyal toasts
were given from the chair, and well remised, the
National Anthem being sung after "The Queen,"
and "Gad bless the Prince of Vales" after the
second toast on the. list.

-7;--flie—Ann7e. Nil, and Reserve Forces" wee
given by Hr. H. Et AIKIVRAMON, who said he was
nervous in company of no many soldiers to give the
toed. Whatever divergence o. opinion there may be
about the state of the army or navy, be presumed all
were of one opinion that wherever they went they
always distinguished themselves. Our army wits
different from other armies in the variety of climate
they had to contend with. and gore an instanoe of a
friend of hi,, who, in nine months, WY first in
Ashanti°, and then near the North Pole. The
army was not no large as it should be, nor no
runeronsam washed by many. As at present con-
'ldeated it might do for little brushes with semi-savage
enemies, but the Ulna may come when the army
would have to fight against one or note of the great
European armies. And it wits said the navy was not
much better than the army. He saw the Govern
ment intended to spend three millions to make our
navy efficient, and he hoped none would grudge that
sum. Speaking of the reserve forces, Mr. Farquhar-
son said the militia should not be looked on as a
rival, the militia would be a great help to the
yeomanry, and would have to be called out first in
case of need. He then gave a sketch of the formation
of the volunteers after the Crimean war, likening the
movement to a jacik-in.tie•bos-- when Napoleon touched
I the hidden spring, up nee 200,000 men- IFor that
I eery reason it ens a useful corps, as prevention was
better than cure. Foreigners often pointed with
derision at our army, but they said very little about
the reserves of England, and these reserve,
he doubted not carried • soldier's heart as
well as a soldier's coat. He was sorry no naval men
were present, but supposed they were most at home
at sea. He thanked On volunteers for their
homPitalltY, realarlidafflon his visit to Swanage encamp.
ment, and concluded by submitting the toast amid
Ito"; Jottse, for the Volunteers, expressesd
dram at seeing at many
,rizent. He reminded
company it was el years February he joined
the Blandford Volunteers, a then sr be eas got
old he warn told to go. He regretted the severance, bet
hianhaart waii.,_alwaYs with them. (Cheers.)
Surgeon inoitel.t., for the YOUIIIMIIy, after return'
ing thanks for that force, spoke of the formation of
the Blandford Volunteen at a meeting presided over
bj jr. Farquharson's grandfather, when Colonel
Manuel and the speaker were deputed to canvass the
town for men and money, and their labours were
crowned with success. He then referred to the time
when the You and Volunteers we rev iewed
at Maiden Castle by re n
the Earl of Shaftesbury and
Viscount Portman, and gave • abort repetition of the
Lord Lieutenant's s on that occasion He was
delighted to see the ord Company of Volunteers
in such a flourishing state.
Lieutenant E. CsartiteSS; SWItH, for the Militia.
admitted the force be belonged to 11114 not in a good
state. i.tt present the force wee 4.1° officers short, and
the number of men was far below the regulation
requirements. In the Dorset Regiment they were
short to the extent of one half 'r str. He
knew some who said the CalL•11 of this warn too much
discipline. This was all humbug. and simply absurd.

There were three causes he considered—the smallness
of pay. absence of any bounty money an enlistment,
and the bad date and fit of the clothing. If thtae
three defects were nine lied they would soon be back
to the 14 standard. The conduct of the men had
vastly improved of late years ; a visit of the MdiUa
to a town a few years ago wan looked on b • many a.
a .ceurge • now they were welcomed. He hoped to
see the 3rl Dorset on the Blandford Racecourse
nh.rtly. 311,1 th.y w. marl pr.ive 3 ClVtia t.. their colonel,
and a honour to their county. (Cheer..)
•

Sergeant-ILsjor /FUN?, for tile Army. regretted
no one better qualilied to respond (or *wit a uoUie
profession was present. As an in.tructor he wt. not
5uup....4 to speak on MI, failings in the army ; but
from IA years' itervice in the smartest cavalry regonoist
in the Army, he a..ured them many recent Mum-au-no.
had not Unproved it.

" The Bishop and Clergy of the Dig ICOSIO, ta. I
Minister• a all Dvensuiriatiorbs Wil prl.o.od by
Mr. H. R. Tucasros, who expressed Wasson, at
seeing so many clergymen present. The s,,lontrner
force was essentially preserved for peace, and as the
clergy were men of peace. it was quite right for them
to associate themselves with the movement.

The Rev. C. H. Frsta-Ci.virros first responded, but
admitted his timidity to do so in the prudence of two
superior officers —rural deans—embryo bishops For-
merly the Bishops of the Church led out their
followers to battle. He was glad those warlike day.
were over. They sometimes now had wordy wars.
but these wars broke no bones. Referring to the
Last oetasion he met the volunteers at church on
Hospital Sunday, he wished to correct an erroneous
impression--that be did not like church parade. ; on
the contrary, he was proud to see them wine to
church, and should always welcome them
The Rev. R. R. WALT P 4, Rev. A. S. LotTrLEW(VIII.
Rev. F. SALMON, and Rev. D. PIESOIC also responded,
each adding their word of admiration for the Volun-
teer Movement. .
• '

" C in,l Steward and the Stal(.olficers of the Ist
Dorset Me Volunteers " waa proposed by Major
JOH3/8. who thought the battalion extremely lucky 113
itachqice of officers.
. .

Roo. Major thumw.sou suitably responded.
" The Donors of Prized " was given by Captain
WA? rs, who sp he at length on the kind support
experienced by Id Company.
Tile toad WWI re.pie.l.4l to in a hutnourons style by
Mr. H. H. F.1.114:14 .0.1, who proope.l 111. tutor,
support ;mei
be should
who said 6, i. 1,1,4 41 be
d have pleasure an
aurnur prise ;by CH. 3'1.01V1111 who expr-....e.1
his intention of continuing his prize; and by
BALL, who WAS equally reedy to give a similar
prize to hes last as long as he was sparad. (C seers)
"Captain Watts and Officers of If Compally " Was
proposed in fitting term, by the Rev C. H. Ftnics.
CLINTON, and well received.
In responding, Captain WATTS said he had tried to
do his duty, and was proud of the success of his aim
pany, which he contended had done a. well or better
than any company is England In their owu regiment
Blandlord stood third in point of uumbera and tied
in shooting, which proved they v....wed quality as
well as quantity. Nor this result he .1 Id b 2 sorry
if the °deers took all the credit, as much of it wan
due to the men themselves. He had enralled 14
recruits this past year, the greeted number eorolled
since its formation. Eniployers of labour also deserved
great credit To the Girpomtion of Blandford a debt
was also due, as very few Volunteers had such a good
drill.nicon as the Corn Exchange (free). Their range
too, was second to none in the county, for which they
were indebted to Mr. Farquharson, of Langtou.
With these advantages, and with two good working
' lieutenant., the success of the company he hoped
, would continue. (Cheers.)
Lieutenant House and Lieutenant Tstreisrov also
responded, boa.' expreming a hope of long remaining
in the company.
" The Mayor and Corporation of Idlandford " was
submitted by dr. H. K. THURSTON, who expressed
hiraseif pleased at seeing so many present, and was
filed to see the mayor at the right hand oi the chair-
inan. It was a great privilege for any town to have a
lessor. and he was pleased to say in Blandford they
generally had a good Mayor, which he was pleased to
think was the case this year (Cheers.)
The ‘feroe, in response, deeply appreciated the
compliment paid bins and the Council to he pressed
at that banquet. He should as far as possible uphold
the dignity of the high office to which be was elected,
but he felt that following such a Mayor as dr. Byers
placed hint at a certain disadvantage, but still he
would try and follow in his steps. (living an historical
sketch of the borough of Blersdford, which he said
was a borough by prescription from time immemorial,
long antecedent to Magna Chart*, he gave numerous
instances of the vicissitudes the town underwent in
the troublous times of the civil wars Following the
late Mayoi's example, he should be plsessed to give •
prize of 1.1 34. and would suggest it be only for
ii.embers of 1'384 or PRO. and so give a chart, to
young noontime to gain a prize and induce rec. Mt. to
join. (Cheers.)
" The Noti-commi..ionel ()them." W 6. prole end in
(elicit''', terms hy Lieutenant Titus"' ron.

It W.ll re4P,ll.led t. by S Ticeant - I nst rnetor Krouu r,
(loutrterinaster-Senceant It titTLICTr. Sergeant Ihmitaii,
Sergeant iti-asiironii, and Sergeant lloniass.
"Th. Visitors," propose' by Captain WAtr.t. W 4.5
responded to by • Ir. ft It FAINCHAII.4nri, W.V. .t.
S. brrudiwooo, and %Ir. W.
" The Ladies." proposed by Captain It tin.' vs, ('sued
a champion in Lieutenant hurr.
"sir nest Merry geeting " conclude! the toast
..nd the compacy stottly afterwards separ.4ted.
During the evening some capital setwo were
by Captain Rawlins, Bugler Skivington. 0 r
Paddock. Sergeant Hodges, Surgeon IMniell, and
l'rtrask, Brauer..