The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-10-31 00:00:00

The CHAIRMAN said the nut toast was that o
" Lieut-Colorsel Steward, and the Staff Officers." The
Colonel had made it a rule not to attend dinners of that
kind as he said there were 12 corps in the county, and
if he attended one he must be present at all, and he
was afraid that he should have an headache on too many
mornings, so had decided not to attetel any.
(Laughter) They all saw him at Ledinoor nod were
perfectly satisfied with the admirable manner in which
he managed the battalion, and how he entered into
the wants and wishes of every member of the volun-
teers, thereby negativing the notion which had been
put about that Colonel Steward was • strict disciplin-
arian and a hands colonel. (Applause.) lie (Colonel
Steward) knew that the volunteers were not soldiers in
general, but were acting as private individuals—
gentlemen who had conic forward in defence of their
country. (Applause.) Of the other staff officers he
would say a few words. Captain Falwamer, and
Adjutant Captain Mount Batten were well-known and
esteemed by them and although circumstances would
be calling Captain Palwasser away he hoped that they
might have Captain Mount-Batten among thew for
many years. They had a staff officer present that
evening—(applause)—and he was very pleased to see
Quartermaster Newman there. No one knew better
Mr. Newman how to carry out the duties
entrusted to him. He gave them with great pleasure
"Colonel Steward and the officers of the Battalion."
(Applause.)
Battalion quartermaster NEWMAN thanked them
;17 L':erdwl. ply fe'ri hearty.etTelf:Gingiswt.hieltwhez
sorry that Captain Batten was not prtment, as he
would have spoken himself in terms of the highest
praise of their efficiency. He remembered how
well the corps turned out when at Isalmoor, and this
was all the more creditable as they were working
under the disadvantage of having a number of recruits
among them. rsplause.) But the recruits hail
gone into their with a good will, they cause out
well on parade, did credit to the town, to the corps,
and to the county. He was sure that as long as they
stuck by each other, with Captain Hodges at these
head, who had the interests of the corps at heart,
they would be able to retain their old repute, and be
a credit to the town. (Applause.)
Sung, by Pioneer-Sergeant TAYLOR " Take care of
No. 1.

The prizes won at the late competition were then
distributed by Captain Hodges, and each recipient
was warmly cheered as he came forward to take the
prize, and received a word of encouragement from the
gallant captain. When the distribution was over,
Sub-Lieut. WILLILMS said he had been ABked to '-
pose the next toast, which was "The Succes4ul
Competitors." They had all been that this year, as
they went in and won the cup which had been offered
for the best drilled corps. They all went deter-
mined to win, and they won. (Applause.) But he
meant the winners of the prism' which had just been
distributed, and he would ask them to drink their
health& (Applause.)
Private Vise, as the winner of the prize for the
highest aggregate number of shoty, reypotulett. He way
very much obliged to the gentlemen who had given
prizes, and was proud that he had been enabled to win
one.

iii-ong by Corporal Escort': "I'm 72."
The CH.LiamAz in warm terms proposed "The Prize
givers, and the honorary members and subscribers to
the corps." It was true they received a grant from
Government annually, but if it were not for the hqn.
members and subecribers, he was afraid they would
soon fall to the ground.
The MAYOR responded. It gave him great pleasure
to receive their thanks for his donation. When
honorary members, knew how much their coutributions
were appreciated, they would be very glad they had
done so much for the corps.
Mr. J. F. HODGES, could only add a few words to
the remarks of the Mayor, lie was pleased that he
belonged to the corps as an honorary metuber, and he
ho that prosperity would continue for many years.
Dr. ALDRIDOS said he was not now an honorary
member, but he thought this was not his fault, it
simply arose from some ones remisness in not calling
upon him. But he should be very happy to become
an honorary member—(applause)—if some one would
be good enough to call for his subscription— (a voice:
that shall be done, sir.")
Mr. W. H. Dusmax felt he had been a volunteer
ever since the day the corps was established —(cheers)—
and he took great interest in the movement. He had
seen them (the Dorset volunteers) in places where
they would not expect to see a Dorset man who had
not an interest in their movements. Ile referred to
Woolmer Forest. (Applause, and hear hear from the
gallant captain.) lie thought that every person ought
to come forward with their contributions and support
them, so that none of the expenses to which they
were put should come out of their own pockets.
(Applause.) Talk about the Russians invading, why
look around and see these brave soldiers, they would
be enough to frighten them off. (Laughter awl
applause.) He had two sons, one was in the yeomanry,
and he told the other he had better join the vclunteers,
but he urged there was no horse to ride. 'He (Mr.
Dunman) replied "Never mind that, one man behind
a hedge would shout three, whilst a man on horse-
back would 66..14 but one.'s -(Laughter.) Ho thanked
them very much for their kindness.
Song by Seri:MLA MUTFORI) "Homo in the Grove,"
and one by Mr. WILLIAMS "Kiss use mother, 'ere I
die."

--Dr. ALDRIDGE said they had had a sweet
song full of deep paths, and which *denied
to affect one very much, but there were
some people they could not kiss, hut they
could honour them, ansl he was sure there was
fli MIMI they would like to h onour, and to whom they
Inure were ore indebted, than to their Cincinnati -their
captain. (Applause). The corps was sewed to none
in the county, and this was slue to the efforts of their
captain, and the other officers. (Applause.) lie (Dr.
Aldridge) had known him for a great number of years,
and he had augured well for the future, and when the
older men's heads were laid low in the grave he would
hold an honourable position in the borough. (Applause.)
Ile had great pleasure in proposing the health of
their gallant captain. No company stood so hieh as
the 3rl D.R.V. Lieutenant 'lodged was one of the
first to join when the corps was established. They
all knew the circumstances under which the volunteer
movement was brought about—they expected an
invasion of the French, and they, started the
volunteers—(cheers, and .7. It. T., "They heard of
us (!) and didn't come, sir ! "). (Laughter). Ile gave
them the "Health of Captain Hodges." Lung may
he be captain of this corps, and long may its prosperity
continue. (Tremendous applause).
Captain llopues tendered them his heartfelt thanks
for the very kind manner in which they had been
pleased to receive the last toast, lie felt that his good
friend: Dr. Aldridge: had a..tid more than he deserved
in prase of him. (N,., no.) It was true he was one of
the first to join the volunteers in this town, and from
that (lay till the present his interest in the movement
had never abated. (applause), lie felt that he was
as much a volunteer now as then, and all his spare time
was devoted to the movement. His present position
was one he never contempleted attaining when he first
joined, but various circumstances had occurred which
made it imperative he should take the position of com-
manding officer. (Applause and a voice "Long may
you hold it ! `') His aim hail been, and always would
be, to get the corps up to its present high position of
prosperity. Last year they were below the minimum
number allowed by Government, and an invitation was
sent snit for young men to join, and the result was that
25 excellent recruits had been added to their numbers,
and these it had been his great endeavour to place in
the ranks efficiently, and he thought this had been
successfully done, as at Lodmoor they had one-third
of their numbers in recruits, and they won the prize
as the best-drilled corps in the county. (Applause).
Every man would this year be returned as efficient, but
they must not stop there as he considered that the best
drilled men should become the best shots, and they
ought to have the cup next year as the best shooting
company. (Hear, hear). They vaunt pardon him'
he said a few words plainly to them. Now that they
had attained their present position they must takecare
to retain it, and to do this they must pull well
together, as it would be a very easy matter to go down
again. They must not think themselves secure
because they were efficient. It would require all to
work weU with their officers, and every private in the
corpsshould consider it hisiiduty to keep up the present
efficiency of it. He again thanked them for their
kindness and gave " Hia Brothers Officers." No
commanding officer could be better backed up, than
he (Captain Hodges) was. Lieutenant Williams was
not residing amongst them, and could not attend so
many drills as they could wish, but they had an
excellent Sub-Lieutenant in his brother, a young and
promising officer. (A.plause.) lie would ask him
to return thanks for 'his brother. (The toast Wile
received with musical honours).
Sub-Lieut, Wittians returned them his sincere
thanks, for the kind manner in which they hail
welcomed him among them that evening, lie hoped
that he should be able tog° on for some time, and be-
come more acquainted with the corps. His brother
had spent some of his happiest time with them
and took • great interest in it, and be (the speaker)
should be very glad to tell him of the cordial manner
in which they had been ',leaned to receive the mention
of his name, lie slid not know where they would en-
saulip next year, but he hoped they might have as
happy a time as on the last occasion. (Applause.)
"I'llu L:IIAIIAMAN Raid he was sure they wouldeeceive
the next hoist with great cordiality—it was "Thu
health of their Quartcruutster-Scr,reant (AP.
plause.) Let the other officers do what they might,
they must have a Quartermaster, ausl they had one
whese heart was in hie work. If he (sada only do as
his predecessor did, he would do well His position
was ono which required a great deal of study and fore-
thought, and be (Calstain Hodges) was sure Quarkv-
master•Sergeaut Crow' would not be wanting in his
duty. (Applause and iwtjeal honours.)
Quarternmater-Sergeant Cuoss, thanked the com
m -
patty for the compliment I t paid dui. From a full
blow:xrivate to a full blown Quartermaster-Sergeant
(la ter)—he had endeavoured is dto do huty, and
as he long as he belonged to the 3rd D.R. V. he should
c nitinue to do so. Be should try to emulate his
predecessor, and if he got any way near Ishii he would
be very well satisfied. (APPia,ul"l„ 1t
The h .
e CHAIRMAN
then proposed e Lemur-Sergeant
and Non-commissioned Officers of the Corps.' The
Colour-Sergeant's was§ a most responsible position, but
they had in Mr. Ihirden, who was present that
evening, an officer who had the interest of the corps
thoroughly at heart. (('heers.) There %YAM not a
corps in the county that possessed such an efficient lot
of non-commiesioned officers as the 3rd 1),1Z.V. (Ale
plite.s.) He had great pleasure in asking them to
drink their health's.
Sergeant W. Denims had great pleasure in retinas-
ing thanks for the compl* ult. Ile was oue of the
chk.wt, among thou, had steak to thew from the
commencement, and its long as be hail he.tlth and
strength he intended to. (Applause.)
Sergeant 11l 11:at's earnest etulcat our would be as it
Lad always iscen, to do his duty as a issi.e.oninissioned
officer and au Englishman should d.s, (.I,l.lulause.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The health of Staff-
Sergeant-Pioneer Taylor and Onkrly-Rooni-Sergeaut
Osmond." lie was very proud licit two of their num
her had been chosen as staff officers', and he was
pleased to see theui present that evening.
Pioneer-Sergeant TAYLOR nwponsled, thanking the
company for the cordial manner in which they had
received the twat, lie had been 17 yearn in the corps
sod had never missed a battalion drill. He was very
proud of having been selected to fill his present
position. (APPimuSs)