The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-03-05 00:00:00

BRIDPORT.

ANNUAL YEETINO OF THE BRIDPORT
RIFLE CORPS.

The annual meeting took place at lb. Drill Roll,
on Wednesday seeping, and tbete were aboot 60 or
70 of the crepe pteattit.

I ri
wept. gaW•aDa, addressing them, raid be would
oommenoe by remarking that considering the
' important character of the building in which they
were ansembled, and the high rates they paid, he
thought it was disgraceful they bad not a better
path to the HsIL He euppred they expected to
bear what was their Unsocial position, but he oould
not tell them, as Seeger! Instructor Good had been
away from home during the past week, and bad not
been able to attend to the accounts. In sooordanoe
with the rules, however, the financial state-
ment should be plaoed before them at the
fleet opportunity, either in • printed etabs
sent to each of them individually or else copies
would be placed on the doom of the Townhall and
of the Drill-hall. They (meld not expect any
balance in hand ail thew had had • great deal to
spend daring the last 12 months on that building.
which they *ere aware could not be erected for
nothing, and the debt on which it would take some
time to clear off. He then referred to the number
of members, and rid that he found in 1885 there
were 106 member, on the muter roll, and in 1866,
107. Daring 1886 there were 20 recruits who bad
foaled Chun, and the reason their numbers had not
ineecasnd in consecinenice was that they had struck
off 20 non-efficient men. He meant those who
never came to drill, and were therefore of no nes at
all to the company. They intended to that off
all the non-efficient member as quick as they
could; they wets 113 good. If a man could not
come to drill he had better resign at coos. The one
metnber lies last year was nominated, be was sorry
to say, by the death of Sergeant Moire. With
regard to their earolugs —in 1865, with 106 men,
they earned £106; while int leart wit° on. man
lest, they had earned £3 more than the amount in
the previous year. They must consider tiekt how
they had acquitted theme Ives as volunteers last
rear, and be would refer first to their battalion
They had three akeletoa or rope drills at
Dorchester, a ark at the camp, and the review at
Sherborne. Those who went to the camp knew
what an exceedingly agreeable time they had the,-.,;
it was extremely pleaannt to himself. They had
not a large master there, hut he hoped times who
went had not failed to tell their °mandate what a
pleasant time they bad spent, and so hider them to
come to their next camp meeting. It was im.
portant for them to keep up their numbers, for, as
the No. 1 carps, they might to he the strongest
in the runty, and be hoped he should take
double the number that went last yr, to the
camp thia year. They bad also a pleasant day at
Sherhorne, and it was morally agreeable to himself
no that or:sumo, as be nes singled out by the re-
viewing cfikom, and complimented ma the manner in
which this company had gnus through their drill,
and nothing pleased him so well as to beer it mid
that the company did their work well. He did not
know how many ordinary moray drills they
had bad, but be believed it wee lidera fifty
and sixty, and that the attendance was perts much
the same as the previous year. He did not remem
her whether nr not the Atom offered any prim for
their attendanoe, if they had he had forgotten it, and
if they did not, it was all the more creditable to
those who had attended them, as it showed that they
had been animated by nothing but the sheer love
of volunteering in attending so many drills
There were a number of resreita present, and
be hoped they would set the older members an
example by their regular ausedare at drill The
older 0014 most of than knew their drill, so had no
need to came so often, but did not apply to recreate
who must by sheer plodding and striving acquire
facility in their drill, or they would not °•°P °P Lb*
oratory in the same efficient manner as formerly,
As to the shooting he was pleased to say that a
great many had got into the first oler, and in
addition one or two had won prises at Dorchester,
but the shooting did not come up to what be should
like. He did not blame them for it, as be thought
the °Goers were to blame, in not taking that strive
part in it they ought. He himself would endeavour
to do better in future, and he hoped Lieut. Loggio
and Bootie Hounsall would, and all of the reps
likewise. Another reason might be that voltam.
teen in other places had a great stimulus by
having prises offered by their fellow-townemen,
which had not been the ease in Bridport, other
Maim perhaps had wrested it, so they (that:ls=re
bad not been able to offer them any prises for shoot.
ing. They had one advantage over other reps
though in having a shooting range close to their own
doors, while volunteers in other parts of the runty
had to go two or three miles to shoot and, putting
.011 thin with smother, be thought they ought to
do better. Ooe of the priaaipal natters for con-
gratulatir during the past year was the appoint-
of the Bev. U. L Lee as chaplain of the oorps. In
flaying so he mesall no disparagement to there
previous chaplain, who attended to his duties as
we/I as he amid, residisiog the distance he lived
front the town. Br sow they bad, r be thought
they ought to hay% the MOW of the town as ther
chaplain and he bad no doubt they would afree
with his that Ii was the right man in the nght
platen tineWeee subject be easpetaletion wan

their epodes. drill hall at the last annual meeting
they had not poseaselee of that noble building but
DOW thanks to the untiring energy arid seal of
Seeman' Good they had, to whom the credit was
mostly doe as he superinteoded the emotion of it,
sad they bad now • aloe plum to drill in no matter
what the weather rise, which should be an induce-
ment for them to come to drill. He then alluded
to the clothing of the corps, which after Ni or 'seen
years wear had got much dilapidated, sad said the
majority if not the whole of them had received new,
and be hoped they would keep it in good condition.
He then alluded to the hon. members and said they
were very grateful to them for coming forward with
their purses to assist them, though not able to take
active service, and there was one gentleman who,
without any disparagement to the others, stood
pre-eminently formate—he meant Mr. Thomas
nommen, of Wykes Court. He might safely say
that he was the father of that company, for it vu
his son-in•law who originated the movement in that
part of Eogland, and they knew with what great
ability he did so, assisted by Mr. Hoonsell's two
Ilona, Mr. William and Mr. T. a Hounsell. He
then remarked upon how much they were indebted
to Mr. Mansell for their dining last year at Evpe's
Mouth, on which occasion they had invited the
Weymouth company to be present, and had
spent a most pleasant day, but could not ,
have done so if it had not been for the
great liberality of Mr. Hammen, who paid al; the
imposes.. He was only so pressing all their feelings
is saying how deeply they felt indebted to that
gestloutan for his kindness to their compute.
There were, be said, other gentlemen also to whom
they ought to improve their thanks; he alluded to
those gentlemen of the Histrionic Club, who were
not members of their corps, and mentioned especially
Mr. Scott, Mr. E. C. Oundry, Mr. Evans and his
brother, who did all they could that they might get
some money to help pay for that ball. The Amiteur
Magical Society had also oontributed in a very great
manner to the moons of the theatrical performances,
and on behalf of the company he tendered them
their thanks. He enlarged upon the arrangememts
in raped to drill during the miming year, more
especially with reference to the recruits. and after.
wards referred to the sword which was pr.-seated to
him, by the corps, last year, which he said he should
ever value; it was quite unlneiked for, and the kind
expressions which acoompanied it completely over-
powered him, he was afraid, therefore be did not
properly esprees his thanks on that Ocioasion. He
was exceeding obliged to them for it and never
should forget it; he would endeavour, with what
little ability he had, to make them in future some
return for their great kindness. He repeated the
offer be made on that occasion for the offioers to
resign if they thought they were not main mining
tbe efficiency of the corps al they ought, but from
the way they received the offer it was very evident
the corps did not wish it. Be eoncluded by oaring
be was sorry be Gould not pot the floantial state-
ment beiohs them, and hoped they would be satisfied
with it when they saw it, and if they would only
continue to sot as hitherto and endeavour to keep
op the credit of the company tim officers would do
the same.

He wee repeatedly cheered throughout his address,
immediately after which the corps marched to the
801 l Hotel, to partake of the annual sapper, which
was oreaided over by Captain Edwards. Ensign
Houneell, also. was present, but Lieut. Loggia was
unavoidably absent.
The first toast after supper was that of "The Queen.
Priam sod Priciest of Wales. cad all the Royal Family,"
proposed by the shaman, who then said th.t Is hoped
the members of the Amateur Ilusio.l Society (w)o had
received invitations to be present), would kindly favour
them with some gist and madrigals between the toasts,
which he was sure maild give them all um+ pleasure
to bear, they accordingly Pane the glee "Hail soiling
morn," after which Kr. Williams scot the ton "A
m.tto for man." _

Csptain linwaana then said there was • grastleman
present who had put hie ghoul or to the wheel to help
on the corm, he wan also the only gentleman of the
Artillery present. he meant Kr. Edward Gondry
(cheers). He was sere they would all driuk his health
with greet pleasure. He bad ambled them very inneh,
and with a great amount of ability ia the amateur per-
formance., by the Histrionic) Club, and was • most
• fil ient member of the artillery, with whom they bad
"'Ws Pulled well .• other. No nee with the
artiboy corns to peculate more than he did, they hnvine
received great kindoese from them. They were aware
that the artillery had been joined to the Devonshire
battalion, as there were not enough members in Dormet
to form a separate one, "'birch he thought wag a great
lon to this county, and he honed %bey would soon be
able to master as many men in Boost as Hoe riles, and
born • battalion there. He then proposed the toast of
Sergeant. Major Geadry anl the 3rd Dorset Artillery—
(loud cheers).
Ensign Hnuersittz mid the Ist Dorset Rides were most
truly grateful to Mr- Gandry for hi• kindness in coming
forward and giving his aesi-tanee at the theatrical per-
foristmeer, and to Mr, Seat as well, *he *as also •
member of the artillery corns, it was through their
assistamo, and that of other gentlemen in the town, that
those performances had proved a great sym...s. H.
t -flow the toast to pass withoutgiving expressitto
to his feelings.
Hong by Mr. Halewood, "Never mind the rest.
Mr. E. C. OUgnitg said be could not thank the
company enough for Cant Swain. sod the oelcers and
men of the artillery for the bind Member In obi h they
ha 4 drank their beel.h, and for banner and for their
coupling his name with the toast. As for an Feing on
rot terms with the Rifles, he was only too proud to be
with them, and with regard to the theatricals, if be
could be of any era tangs at any time in petticoats—
(great laughter)—he should be most happy to be so—
; (loud cheers).
Capt. IttoltVlon then said they had a gentleman
present that everting from • sister ountry whom he was
much pleased to ort there, Mr. Crawford, formerly
captain of • Scotch Volunteer cons. He could only
my from what be had wen of him, that he inset have
worn the uniform with as much orsdit a. so) one. The
more he saw of him, the more be liked him, and he
hoped he would remain many years to come simony*
them. He proposed then fore the Scottish Volunteers
and Mr. Crawford --(cheers).
Song by Mr. A. H Good, "Be kind to thy father.'
Cermet:HMl returned thanks, and said with
them put him in mind of old time*, he tee awake glad
to be with the Ride.. In Scotland the inotitetlon INN
eery Aron' and in Glasgow, from whence he came, they
bad more volunteers than in any town in the
kinriont. He begged to thank them for the very kind
way in whioh they bed drank the health of the Yoke-
kers of Hootland and of himaelf—(obsers).
Captain Etter•alta said he IMO sorry the thief maeie-
trate of the borough was not pmeent on that oeca.ion,
nor any other of the maiglettetee, but thee had on*
gentleman present who had formerly filled the °Moe of
ehief magistrate of the borough, and had carried out the
duties of it in • distingai had manner, and he booed he
would won be •ppointc7d • stagietrate. He had in
addition rendered them great sergioes so a th•mber of
the Hbtrinnie Club, and they were much obliged to him
for his kindness in owning among them that seeping; he
hoped they should nee him for many years among them
no oeceslons of that kind. Re proposed the health of th..
Moristrates of the borough and Kr. H. K. nommen
—(cheers).
Song: Corporal Tarry, "wordily goes the mill stream
oh.

--Recitation In the Dorset di &et, Mr. R. A. Collins,
"Sly Courting" •Weli being reamed „be ger. "The
Dirt Oak Tree that's In the Dell." Both *ere very
well riinderwi.

Mr If. E. Houtraw.a said he hoped they would el.ort
have some of the macistratm prevent at their meetings.
Mel could not return thanks for the magistrates not
One himself, but he wee mach obliged for the
kind manner in which they had drank his health; he
ems alweys clad to .nimit them. Alluding to the late
nutlet outbreak at Chester hi Mid he thought it would
be decided led Per, lastly !het the Volunteers being
mired for the defence of their country against invasion
should never be called upon to quell ark riattarbenees.
II there masa question quelling foreign Invornon be had
no doubt they would be found doing their duty, bet in
cam of civic disturbenee they ought only to 'fits part
as meciel ooastables. They might away§ rely that if
he wee not with them in bend he *as in heart—
(cheers).
Captain EDIPAIr then. *MI some ROD. li•11.
hers ancient who ad net may helped them with their
purse. but had amisted them at the Theatricabi There
was one geritleman present who had recently come
amoneet them hist who had lived there suficiently long
to make himself beloved sot sorely ha the Members
of that eorps bit by the fultahltanie of the town
generally. He lç.pkin Edwards) had beard n greet
deal in praise. They were under perticalsr obligation
is him for societies them with hie great abilities at the
Theetrisal . Re lbw fore peoposed the health of Mr.
Evens and the Hon. Members and hoped he wosld loos
live in Firirlport—llond obser4
tlong (original) by Charles Powell Nee of the Ado) t
" The S oltotoers of England." Is wee a 'eery ailed
farm, and warn encored.
..

_
Thirr.llaans, who, on hit riming,. em ,reseitred with
hasiomusly retained %oohs. He hoped they
would &Raw him to make the remark that oboe they
been that even um be tiedentood 'bete was to b. Puy
spcsphilying- (laughter). He mentioned it partly
in egotism for itis not iaakiag a long speech. He did not
know why he bad been celled on to respond to the
toast g then were several preemt who were mesh
better able to do so Has himself. He mme ainoot
them • perfeet stranger, sod was alia3" ior thi
kind way in whieh be bad Pet; mood': H. had
• good dial of the 'Mita bat bad twee met with more
kindness than he had in Bridport. It ••• a great
gratilleation to him to be amongst mph a body of
dsfenders of thsir country. With regard to the
Histrionic Club, to which he bad the honour to bedoeg,
.1 be could usiat the woos by taking part io soy failhaa
sbestrimost hml appPerly to do um"
so. Hoas begetbeirl betohatblf.:nkh.thsbmem laid art
for the bind manner in whielt they had drank his health
—(sheers).
Captain EDWARD* Ikea proposed the health of Lieut.
Loggia, who he we. sorry was prevented frors being
premed that evening A bettor man never lived and he
war Imre they 41 liked bile as much as be did. He
was always reedy to help them with his pone. This
toast wannest warmly received sad with mash sheering.
A glee sees by tne Amateur Kinkel Society.
Captain &tear& was thee called anon for • song sod
pre the ballad "Horeb, the pride of licildare," to the
great gretilloation of those orient, sod being loudly
encored sang " We won't go bowie 'till morning..
Both songs were emit beautifully gang.
Mr. 01•11701 D briefly propos-el " The health of
O•ptain adwards, • gentleman whose saqualutanes ho
bad very remedy made, and who was out and out eilolly
good fellow. The toast was drank with musical hosottrs,
and was received with great sheering.
B-fore Clippie Edwards responded Mr. EV•se also
in etaloglatio terms the health of Ensign
which was also realived with loud and
licarty ekes's.
Ceptaln EDWARDS said Hr. Brans had invokes in
pram. of Ensign Hounsell, he WU only sorry rote of his
someadee had not spoken in his praise. He we one of
the best Nukes OM me ilvetl, end Inn win kw la

bum ho meld Dot say emoasb in his favour. • mut
*must of audit is werrelog on lb. "'Pa wag dua to
bing• %whether at • vo ontur or ifl eatirling at lb*
thatched.. he was • Tashi good fellow. no oouldn't
l'aga sating "woo few words. lie reroarsted them to
to him minima bosoms which wu duo moot
arldly• .

_
Sergeant HoUnroOD, in answer to the eaptahis mi-
mesis, said on behalf of the Corp'. that the" W." no "I'
ander whom they wonli sooner serve than Ensign
klasneell.

lt*lrain Erierattigi then returned thanks for his health
being drank, and maid they had se many times testflied
their loee toward. him, that there was no csontimon for
them to drink hia health to prove it. He did everything
be could to keep op tbe twelfth of the corps, end he
hoped they would all, whether the pelmet, or oldt*st
amens them, endeavour always to 'terry out what was
required of them. Re alwate felt when he got .p to
miner thanks that he was an impostor—(lowl cries of
no, no). tlredit had been given to him for the ...List
factory behaviour of the pule which was owing to tits
kind &mistimes they had given him. Their kind."' bed
been more than he deserved, an.l he hoped he should be
always worthy of the love they bore Imo. It was one
of the pre.ndeet ntomests in his life when pet in tem.
mend of the corps. He had been pieced over them
under very trying Mecum tansy*, it was a matter of
west pleasure to bim to be DO, sod he hoptd they wonld
always bear toward, him the love be fell, towards them
that evening—(lood sheers).
Ensign HOMIMILL also returned thankm in a long and
humorous speech which kept the company in r ars of
laughter throughent. In the bums of which he
thanked Mr. Evans for his kind expressions towards
him, and the oymni•any for the kind way in whieb they
had drank his health. He felt great ul for being
allowed to be their ensign, though he was not worthy
of the pom, he did not know drill properly and did not
know how to Dominant', bat one thing he would say an
long as his porn had • 1.. in it, it shonld be at their
memos—(lood cheery). y hsd • captain over then,
who was worthy a their thorptation, and he was
proud to tee him in theft nneithsn but it was
unless thee sbeyal their cnnittint lie booed!
of floe.. Way they would .tad up for their country
they should
always meet at drill sock an assembly as was resent
that night, and that they would not merely coat' to
Pudding drill. He could net always come himeelf bet
he would some es mush as he could and help as mash no
was n his power. It w•sdrill made the Volunteers and
without that they were no nee. He allotted to the Drill
Hall, the eeectioo of whisk he said wagoning entirely to
Sergeant °nod who we the man to whom they were
all indebted foi It. Sergeant Major Tucker has been
the mainstay of the amps, he was one of the first to join
them end he hole d he would he one of the last to leave
They were the two meet worthy members of the corns.
He ooncleded by mot...ring Sere...at-Major Tucker's awl
Sergeant Instructor Hood's good be•lth—(lood ahem.).
. . .

Sergeant-Maier Tome returned thanki and Paid for
the last rear or two he had not "wen able to do vets
mesh for the eorp• escort when in ramp, It wen
Sergeant Good who had done meet lately. Re said
resent recruits Ind lately j•4ned them and he hoped
they aboatd bestow. one of the best corps In the kingdom.
Re alluded to the shooting and rrnarked they And a
mom clone to •t el eg 661114 lank DO there, eel he
booed thry should be able Co eballange some other rerft.
fhb' you% and Ova at the °minty meeting. in future they
abonld bring heme wine prises—(cheers).
Ensign Roonegt.t. here mid that he would give on
this rear in prizes for shooting to be distrihnted under
the direction of Renresnt-Ilajor Tucker and Sergeant
Good. This •nnouncement was received with great
sheering.
Sergeant Tnstroctor GOOD then htielly and homoroordir
rrsoondet to the toast of his beaith. Ale., other tout.
followed after whit* the company broke op, haring
spent • very ple.stnt ecteni.v.