The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1884-11-04 00:00:00

VOLUNTEER SUPPER AND DISTRIBUTION OF
PRIZES.

The snouti sapper and distribution of prizes of the
" " Com Pan, (Gorohe.ter) Volunteers was held on
Friday evening last. There wee • 'wirer copsoy
then usual, Majoe Hodge' presiding. Am mg the
comps'', were Mr. W E. Berner, M.P. Rev. H.
Everett, Bev. H. P. haiku, the Mayor of Decimeter,
Captain Law, Kr. G. J. G. Gregory, Illaj
Capt. and Adjutant Le Merchant, Vent.
G. Willletne•Andrews, Mr. Thaokeray, Mr. A. G.
Syinoade, ierteroseeter-Sergesint Dards°. Mr. W.
f 1.,,..... r. Mr. .Ir,
_Rabbi...eq.
_ Mhgr. H. Ling, Mr. J.
ut RvltAnoon, j., Mr. Stroud. r. R. Us.e. Mr. hi as.
Steil Sergeant Stapler, Pioneer-Sergeant Trnyht,
Sergeants Met: wt. Baker, Barnes, and Robinson.
Col onr-Slargesat Harris 000upled the vice-ohair. Toe
qatbarlai WM invested with unusual interest, Major
Hodges and giversd other members of the cowboy
having just completed their 25th year of service. An
exoellent repeat was provided by Mr. H. Froet, aol
included • liberal supply of game soot by the B 'rough
Member. Grace was said by the h. Chaplain to
the Battalion (Rev. H. EveretL)
. . . . . . . .

Toe loyal taste having been deli honoured, the
Moron propmed "Ph. Health of the Army and Navy
and limarve Forms." Having alluded in appropriate
terra to the former benches of the service, sad their
present perilous expedition, he expressed the h p.
they would be succeeded, and thet that brave men,
General Gordo's, would be released. (Applause.)
They had every cocfidessoe In their ethers and
soldiers. They could not possibly trust the szpedi-
lion to a better man than L ,rd Wolselay, and he
was sure he had the same lion hearts to follow him, the
mum soldier. and sailors to foil,, him, who had
sooomplithed so much la days of yore. (Applause).
In drinking this toast, they loud not forget the
volunteers. He was very pleased to see mount him such
a numerous body of the Dorseishire volunteer., and
he oousldersd, the most Important section of It. It
ought and should and would have been undoubtedly,
bed be boon Mayor at the time, N,. 1 Omnimay,
A. Company, A. 1 Company. (Applause.) They
would have am, bad he only hap osned to bare been
Mayor, but he was not. (Laughter.) —The toed was
heartily received.
Oeasin Low, who responded for the Army, said
he was certain they would do their duty wherever
they wire mat. He hoped the army would be sue-
osieful in It. great undertaking now In Egypt In
' relieving Gordon and also the goons me he had been
fighting so gallantly for. (Applause.)
Captain B19)1111, who cams la for II MOIL cordial
: remption, responded on behalf of the Yeomanry.
He was sure they knew thorn as well as he did, and
I that they were always ready and willing to do their
duty if they wore called ou, eel in any service they
would always be first in the field. if. we. afraid be
mold not say on the present metros much about
Egypt, and he did not think, perhaps, it was hie place
so to soy: but on the part of the Yeomanry, he hoped
at all events the indignity which hal been put on
the army would never be put oo in. Yeomanry or
even on the Volantesee, and that was that only 40
of their number should be mat out from every regi-
ment. He did hope that if ever the Yeomanry
should be asked to go oat the whole regiment would
go at same, and that afterward*, when anyone wmitad
to me a review of the rut, they w mid not have only
one drummer eel a fifer left, for that be thought
was about the state of the British Army.
(Leughter)
Ma or WILLIAMS, I/139 acknowledged the tout 00
behalf of the Volnuteers, hoped if ever they were
called upon to do active earvios they would be able
to go on their own logs and should not have to ride
upon camels. (Loud laughter.)
Mr. G. J. G. GSIGORY proposed " The Bishop and
Clergy of the Diocese and Ministers of all Denomina-
tions." tleforterudely, at their festive gatherings
these gentlemen did not give than their presence so
otters as they wished, but he was pleased to say they
were doubly blamed that ending, for not oaly bad
they their worthy &spiels Preeed—(mopisues) —but
they also had • gentleman whom he might terns the
" Mayor's oimpleles." (Laughter.) During the two
years Mr. Darden had been In °Ea Mr. Baikal had
constantly supported him, and he was sure they were
always glad to warmers* hint. (APPlroura)
Rev. H. Retain (bon. chaplain) bristly ant
humorously soksowletied the toast, throwing the
onus of reply on the Mayor's chaplain." He wee
always delighted to see his Mout Mr. Mathes' smiling
facs—(laughted—but he well never wore Omed t
see it than that evening, for be knew he was panting to
make a speech. (Laughter.) He knew on these
cescadons Mr. Rados was always p eased to sir his
eloquence and sometimes, perhaps. Isla uteruses..
(Renewed laughter.) But that night be was quite
parities he would say to them jut that which ought
to be said with regard to the Volantems ; therefore,
simply thanking them very moots for their kioduses,
he would leave the reeponse of the toast entirely to
Mr. Rakes. (Applause.)
Rev. H. P. Relict remarked he had been Mr.
Everett's deputy so many years be really began to
think he was the chaplain, or the acting chaplain, on
these ogasions. (Laughter.) As their chaplain head
remarked, be would Just give impression to one or two
at ids feelings on this matter. if. could not help
saying Wet 1111 considered the duty of • clergyman,
high, elevated, and responsible as hie position was.
we. not only the Otoduotiog of see doss, visiting the sick,
and various other duties +blob follow, but he thought
his chief duty was to set an example In every day life,
to share not only the sorrows, but also the j 'ye of
others, and sthedally on times festive oomdoes to
make an effort to be present, so that be may follow
by example the Myles Imputation "Lot your
moderation be known unto all wee."
The ClAlllinn proposed In littler terms "The
Heralds of the Mayor and Corporation, end Magic
Mates of the Borough, and la the Cents, of his
remarks said they valued Mr. Henry Dusdeo very
much indeed for the &de way he had {serried out Use
dud" of hie dam, and for the MIAOW in WWl* he
bad alsra3rs cases did himself with every little move-
ment In the town —(applease)—ead their owls little
movement (the Volunteers) in particular. (Loud
plans.) Not only had be for the second year
offered a prise for compatitim, but for the second
time been publicly with them on that ocadoo. He
did not wish the Mayor any harm, but he believed
two years ego when he took dim Ids Worship was
miry anxious *bon, the dsalnage stemma They beard

a greet deal shout it tw nears ego. but they lead not
got it yet ; so he thouht it gull be • good tbiog to
appoint him again, and perhaps in the third year it
might be earned out; or he th ought tOey mlghr even
keep him there till it Wes carried out. (Leughter.)
To* MaTOR said he appreciate) the kind remarke
ma I. by the Chairmen. examitiog his suggestion that
he should be kept ha offi re till VAS drainage whims
! was oompletel, He thought this was cruel of him.
(Laughter.) In the nurse of further remark*, he said
hie duties were rapidly drawing to a close, and be
supposed he should shortly have to go to the wall. He
beds day louver than most Mayor., Ic he hod to the
10th, sae he meant to enj it it. (Lioglotoir.) It
might not be generally known to them, but it was •
fact, the greeter numb., of the members of the
potation were martial men. The Mayor and the four
aldermen wen rhoidedly menial, hawing been old
volunteers, and were able at any time to all and
ambit the volunteers, not only by their edwiee ant
easistasce as a corporate body, butt join the ranks.
(Hear, hon.) If. could speak for himself awl his
severei indoenneo present, that if they oould not pl.l
off the poem of the men of an invading fine, they
certainly might manage to hit • groat body. He
thought he could nuke a hole in them himself.
(Laughter.) Is conolosion, his Worship uprose of
the hope as long es he remained in the prat' 1 Pori-
lion, he and hie atiOneseor, whoever he might be, would
do the beet they amid to attend their annual
meetings, and do all they possib4 mild to maito &in
the integrity and proud ()union of the members of
tee IA Don't. (T. eid applaus o)
Mr. Alderman GIMMORT, in reply, alluded to the
drainage *Mums, and hoped by the next time they
met it would be, if not oompleted, on a fair way of
progress. Whatever they did he hoped they would
hit upon the right *chime, and merry it art e Hee-
and with ae litde expense as peel:lle to the
pockets of the est Tamers. (Hen, hear.)
Mr. Alderman Domome, as an old lobabitent of the
town, and having been born and bred amongst them.
mild it would always be his endeavour to I do the best
he could for the good of the borough at large.
(Applease.)
The ennui/Le proposed, in eulogistic terms, the
" Heelth of the B rough Member." whom they were
very fortunate in having among them. He thought
they would agree with him they oould serer have a
latter member for the bo-ough than Coptsin Humor.
(Applause.) At any rate they could
gentleman who had identified himself so thoroughly
as he had with the volunteer m outpost. and with
their canapes' is particular, ever slow be had been
their member. He wee oa• of the first to attach
himself as honorary member to the oompeny ; he hod
given valuable prism, mid especially their beautiful
it=sup, and besides that they bad, by his
arojcoyed • very plemeat day, if somewhat
arduous, on Po/diatoms Hutto (Applause.) In
everything useable Captain Butner bat done all
be pomdbly could for the prosperity of the " "
Company. He asked them to drink his health with
estlinsiesse, hoping be would have health and strength
to carry out the arduous duties that lay before him,
end every other good wish they onikl think of
(The toast was received with musical haunts.)
Captaln Bailin said at he was linable by regula-
tioa to discourse on politicos and as he had not the
benefit of a knowledge of the drainage soberer, which
they had heard 00 mtioh about, he bat very little to
say. With regard to the drainage scheme, he only
hoped the Mayor and Corporatioa would do their
beet to put the sewage on his Lead, for be wadi take
as much of it an be could, It would do his land a
great deal of good, and he would take it free of
expense. He hoped they would PHI him • visit me
Paddietown Heath foe many years to come, and be
assured them he should do everything he would to
=eke their visit a pleasant one. Referring to the
prises, he hogiod Major Hodges would do all he
000ld to give prizes for recruits, so aa to make them
effisient la their drill. He impressed on them the
importance of this. For his part, in the Yeomanry
they found it very difficult to get their recruits
efficient for two or three years, but then it should be
remembered they had only a few days in the year to
practice on, Tao other day he positively declined one
or two who wanted to join, because be knew they
would be non-efficient, and be heard Major Hodges
had done exactly the same thing. "Joker they made
them salves 'Ardent, not only was it no use to the men
themselves, but it spoiled the efficiency of the whole
corps. He alluded to the value of shooting at
unknown &steams, and he was sled to see that this
year newly all their beet shots had come out well I.
this respect. He was very sorry to see one of their
number who got the first prise was not there that
night, and he was sure they were all very sorry to
bee him. (Hew, hear.) He believe lit wee a *once
of postal regret all through the town that he had
left. He only hoped that the change of air ant
manfully recuperative power the air had in the
oolonlee would restore him to health and Dorchester
In a few years. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of their goo I
old Ooloned—Oolonel Maitivel, whom they wore all
delighted to moo at Swanage, and to bear hie cheery
voles once more giving the word of command. He
also gave the health of Major Williams, than whom
there was not a more Georgette °Moor on the steff—
(applanes)—lllejor Le Marehant, who was the right
man in the right oboe, for he had thrown himself into
his work, and to whom was &meths very great improve-
ment in drill in the bet -al ioo—(cheers) —au 1 Q otter.
Rooter Crow, to whom they were very much iudebted
for all the care he took of them when in gimp.
(Applause.) Q iarter•Maeter Cross was one of the oil
original members, one of the five rem doing who
joined on the 80th of January. 1860. (Applause.)
Msj or WILLIAMS tba-tied them on Whet' of
Col nisi Steward, C lied Hansel, and C duel
114 thews. Telly owed a deep ddot of gratito he to
their *Monet for making the regiment ee MIL IL e•I—
-WO
eini to OWN in the service. (Coign.)
Major La M 410141111% in reply, regretted the
absence of Q intermaster Cr,.', who tat always
given him the most hearty lissitteaca in overithing
that came in hie province in camp He ',lien I they
had worked well t ;gather. and he hoped it load be -n
to the benefit of the toenail' no. (Applaue.) As far
an the drills were coooerned, a. olsj or Ho Iva hal
been good enough to say, there hal on loubtelly bun
an improvement during the heist year, lie referee I
eepecially to two things that he had always t no' t o
impress upon them—the first wen pninctuaiity in
attendance at parade, and absence of talking io the
ranks. He dared say they hal felt him to
be rather strict sometimes on parade. hot he
believed they now recognised the violin of
eilende on parade, exoepting, of MAU for thou
who were obliged to Use the word of commend at
drill, to point out mistakes and wee: them. So far
as the g el state of the battalion Was corie..rned,
this year they would have a strength of 974 men, as
outspend with 908 tut year. (Applause.) Not on 4
that they woull have only 14 non-effidents this
year, an compared with 28 lint year. He nailed par-
ticular attention to the necessity of shooting more
than the 20 rounds at pea nice. Tnere were s ome men
who just satisfied themselves with shoot or their 20
round., and thus posse 1 into the sec nod &a os ; but he
did not consider that enough. He thought every men
ought to make an effort to shoot his 110 round@ at the
range. In conclusion, he thanked Msj or Hodges
sincerely for the c ordial aesistmooe which he had
gives him during the time he tel been on leave of
absence. (Atoidensea)
Ilvloe WILLIAMS proposed " The Health of the
Staiddergea ata, " and Q monument lorS ***** et Does u,
who find responded, sail he felt now as great pleasure
in working with the Volunteers and in his week's en-
campment answer he did in his life. ( tpolause.) He
expressed regret at the &beano, of Q mrtermutor
Croft, who, as be could testify perhaps no ore the,
many of them, was always very noxious to carry out
the duties of the battalion. (Applenes.) With regard
to himself, it hat always been his 'Cody to look after
the men and their emotion when he had been in camp,
but were it not for the aedstanos he receive I he
should not be able to do so. He especially thanked
Staff•Smseent Starner for his able assistanoe in estop.
He believed they h el the right man in the right place.
(Applause.) They hal all surtained a greet lose by
the death of Sergeent•Major Watts, but he wee clod
to say they had se able summon in Sergeant.
Intruotor Street. I Applause.)
PioomieSergeant Tenor; provoked hearty laughter
by the humour of his reply.
Stall•Sergemet Smuts end when be was tint
appointed he was afraid he should not be able to do
hie duty, but be beli-ved he might say he did it The
kind words which the Adjutent expressed when they
left camp were quite guffi Ttent to repay him for any
trouble which he might have put himself to. He
should be only too happy at any time ti render all
the asseitanoe in hie tower. He had served 19 years,
hiving joined in 1888. and be should be very pleased,
so lens la be was able, to belong to the lunation.
(Applause.)
Sergeantlaetruotor Gluon also replied.
The prises were then distributed. Sergeont Robin-
son. the winner of the challenge cup, and in fact, the
*ream of the prises, WY highly oomplirLotecl on his
10001011.
Tee ONAIIIMAN propose" " The health of Me.
William Osmond, who had rendered valuable assist-
mace at the pries m metlng H oily regretted be was
n. beget able to yew his uniform... .

Kr. 0/00111) (late filtalf•Ssrgeant), wane I them
leaving the V doubters was something like parting
with a favourite tooth; it was • terrible wrench. He
hoped he should be spared to meet them on msay
future occaelows, sued to lend them what asslsteoce
he could is the shooting. He expressed the wish
that some of his old oorneades, the old hand., should
woe forward and assist the younger iambi., of the
company, in order that they might become better
shots. (Applause.)
" The Health of the nodose of Prises " was pro.
posed by the CILAIIIUUN, who remarked they were
always glad to read., prism from old members ; and
&Ir. -BOOM acknowledged the oomplimeet.
The toed of the evening, the ' tles'th of hfej r
Agek" mu proposed in felicitous terms by Nir.
Banta& They all koew how he had stuck to the
volanteers and what be had done for them. (Cheery.)
1 They not only knew what he hod dose for so messy
yews, but they had also heard what the adjutant had
ssld about him. (Applause.) Hs could bear teeti•
mouy that whatever MO or Holies raid be would do
he did to the best of his ability, and, le they knew,
that ability was of no mean order. He undertook the
volunteering, and be dhi it well. He dhl not believe
there Was any 00011,&DY it %net that wee so well
oammanded and IN, well drilled as this. (Applause.)
He looks I upon them all as his children and wished
ti.pi all to get on, shoot well and drill well, and at
the end of the year all moles prises (Lmghter.)
If it were not foe 51 ejer FI Aces he did not know
what the oompany would d He had an able officer
in L'eutenant Andrews-411nd cbsers)—they worked
..u.,inely well together, an I he believed they wore
very popular amongst then-•f they were not they
ouriht to be. (Olsen )
Utile Honor, who W MP loudly cheered. said he
stood before them, having completed his 25th year of
melee. (Applause.) Be the bleeslog of Providence
be had had Wealth and streogth to endeavour to do
his duty, and he hoped he might be spared amongst
them yet for some years to come ('leer, hear.)
Referring to his lengthy service, he sail It seemed to
him • veer, short time sloe* be wee enrolled. Wes he
bstio, o poem for it? Be thought be might come to
the oonuluelon he was better. Since he was enrolled
be had made Meade of • gnat laway young men, for
they bat pasted &boat 300 throne' the reeks. He
had 'Wyatt =may pleseast assoolatlosi, sad leant •

certain amount of dill ; he ba I attended the Autumn
Mascearres, Aldervb 4, and all the camp., and on the
whole he was quite sure he was sll el. better 1,4 his
25 years' aerate.. With regard to the Volunteer to. ce
generally, he thought he in dh: say it win sir in a
better eat* of effioleucy or meg numerous, How the
rearms of thie yeas we ill torn u.s be dii sot know,
but last year then were 239,04 enrolls I member, ; a
very large proportion laded of then were efficient',
6114 • ere 7 large proportion attended the almost
lospectioo, wleola showed there was vitality in the
Voluateser torn. (Applause,) Ile thought he might
say they bad mid. their mak in the history of lb. •
country, and although b. weep eking in the presence
of olio re of her M.jeety's winch of whom he wished
to speak in the highest rale poeible, he was bourid
to may Is. believed the Volooteere Ind done the stun
nine mein, because 25 yeare ado the arm/ knew
very little indeed shout nooting. He thought the
Volonneor movement had aweitned the necessity of
. rifle practice, and he tboaght it very likely it was due
to the Volumene tost tie army bad arrived at •
much greeter efficiency In that recent Deo ever
' before. (Hear, hear.) Ma),, &clan etine•••ed the
hole that Wool loot, after the remelts made
by Mr. Ohilden, they woul I be armed with
the Martial Hoary, aii perhaps before long
with even a better weepoo than that. (Ap-
plause.) With regard Is Lumben last year, he
bat t. deplore the fact that tn.y were so smell In
aembers—only 74 enrolled member. ; but now he was
glad to say they were 90. (Ai planes.) He had not
yet heard of any fAldhatinta esceptiug two ; there.
tore, ensiled as they now di I at 83, be hoped they
would get another batch of no tete before very long,
and bring them up to their full strength of 100 mem
(Hear, bear.) They wanted smother subaltern officer,
sod he held out the hope that they would soon get
one. They bad now 89 effi:enta and only one nous
efficient. (A.pplaues.) Alter further general remarks
on the subject of the 'hooted, Major Ho los con-
cludei by Unmaking Lieut. Au ins. for his very k ad
Desistance &ado( the past you. He always tumid
him reedy t • bank him up, and if he (the hIs)or) went
eway, he always bared him at his post in him aloseaca.
Having assured them that so io ig as be hell the ta itn•
mission he s iould be pleased to do all he o nil I, he
propoesd the health of Lieut. A.odreers.
(Tin toast was receive I with great enthusiasm)
Lieut. AMDBIWII, who was lou by °boatel, said it
wee a matte 01 o)ograthlanan tut they had such a
oily largo counpaay t thee in thew earn II knife
and fork panda. (Leaghoer ) lie always noticed
members tar mei up better at that than anything el
but he supposed It was a sign they bad good healthy
Myst.. H. urged apes tho young sash of the towa
to emi forward and jea the volunteers Tit/
erected recruit. but he hoped he should never le put
to the humiliation of having t answer a gentile that
was one. milked by a feeetdium non-commiselonet
offing beloaging to the Deese Volanteas. denied an
attenuated company parading on their march to
Swann., he went tip to the oer in charge a.i said,
" Are you the baggage guard, mu 1" (Loud laughter.)
Chat plight he hoped "C" Company would never be
brought t and he believed eu long as tiny had
their present commanding offi air they never
would. (Appeal.). He was sorry to say win
regard to this shoaled, in which he took very
great interest, they could not look back to a lot
of vire we.. They did not grudge the Deptit
their two winelop—Deag_hter) —bat they certainly did
elero them vary badly. ile attributed a good deal of
this, however, to two circumstances, On. 01 Whir&
wee the Government did not trait them fairly, first
melded them shoot with the S ader, and then with
the Marcloi-HruT, ad any person who had any
knowledge of sh ottag must know how difficult it wee
to practice one day with the one ant then with the
other. (Hear, hear.) Another 'sawn wee that they
hod lost toe "old gas-pipe." (Laughter and cheers.)
They always looked for 93 from him. (dear, hear.)
This only miaowed them their wearies', and should
stimulate the recruits who) inel them year by year
to really give their ...iota more to the weekly
pumas... and practice day by day if they could
possibly get the time. (Ilse, hoer) He admitted
It was diflnul, but if they c iuld only do so. they
would then be what they one. wen, Sri Dorset first in
the county (Cheers) For many Teen while Staff -
ffergesot Gs Good wee with them they could do it, bet
now it appeared they could not.
The Catamaran next gave "The Caloar-Sergeant
and ,uatnissioned Officers of the Comp soy."
No company hal a batter staff of non.commiemioned
officers than "C... (Cleve..)
C ilour-S•rgeaut Hawes, who had ens 23 years'
vervic,, replied, as did Sergeants 31077,n0, ROSISSJII,
and BASSI, and Corporal CHICK.
" The Health of the Visitor." we. responds I to by
Mr. J. HOleino. is Mr. 54. TBSCIMAT, Mr. Mont.
Mr. Cm; and Mr. VINOUS?.
Several songs were sung during the evening, and the
peuesediugs were remarkable for conviviality.