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

ANNUAL SUPPER AND DDITRIBUTION OP
PRIZES OF THE 3ao D.R.V.
The annual supper of the 3rd DRY., which now
occupies the proud position of being the best drilled
corps in the county, and which is officered by gentle-
men who are second to none in military discipline,
took place on Friday evening at the King's Arm;
Hotel, under the genial presidency of the gallant
Captain of the corps, Mr. J. F. Hodges. being
supported on his right by the Mayor of the Borough
(Mr. Alfred Emson), Sub-Lieutenant A. Williams,
and Mr. Herbert W. Hodges, and on his left by the
Rev. H. I'. Raikee (chaplain I 4 the Dorset County
Prison), Battalion Quartermaster T. Newman,
l'..ittelion Sergeant W. Osmond, and Pioneer-Sergeant
J. R. Taylor. The vice-chair was occupied by Quarter-
meeter-Sergetant Cross, and among the company were,
ColuicillorJ. F. Hodges, Councillor Dr. J. P. Aldridge,
Dr. Robinson, Mr. Arthur Lock, Sergeant W.
Durden, Mr. J. Webber, Mr. S. Martin, Mr. D.
' Shepard, Mr. W. Norman Mr. \V. IL Dunman
(Troytown), Mr. Chilmitt, 'Mr. Harding, Sergeant
Ramsey, Sergeant Harris, Drill-Instructor Le,
Sergeant Rogers, Sergeant Mntford, Corporal Escott,
Corporal Dart, Corporal Guy, Corporal Hogg, Lance.
Corporal Stayner, and a large number of volunteers.
Host Frost placed upon the tables • first-rate spread,
well cooked, served, and weltered, and was heartily
enjoyed by the whole company. Grace before and
after meat was said by the Rev. H. P. Raikea
The band, under Bandmaster Wellspring, were
stationed in an adjoining room and played a capital
selection of music during the repast, and appropriate
pieces between the various toasts.
Whilst the supper was proceeding the gallant
captain rose and said—Brother volunteers and gentle-
loan: They would think it rather early in the evening
for him to commence the speechmaking, but they
would remember that at the late encampment at
Lodmoor the 3rd D.R.. V. corps won the cup presented
by Mrs. Mount Batten for the best drilled corps in
the battalion. That cup they very kindly presented
to Mrs. Hodges, who had sent it down that evening
desiring it should be handed round in order that eash
might drink the health of Mrs. Mount-Batten. (Ap-
plause.) An inscription had been beautifully engraved,
setting forth that the cop was presented by Mrs.
Mount-Batten and awarded to the 3rd D.R.V., who
handed it over to Mrs. Hodges. August 3rd, 1876.
The cup was then passed round, and everyone present
drank the health of Mrs. Batten and Mrs. Hodges in
some sparkling sherry.
Sub-lieutenant WILLIAMS also early in the evening
said that it was the first occasion he had had the
honour and pleasure of dining with them, and he had
ordered a dozen.and-half of champagne, and hoped
they would all enjoy themselves. (Loud applause.)
After the removal of the cloth the CHAIRMAN said
they had passed the more serious business, and were
now come to the speechmaking. They knew that in
all such assemblies and especially in all gatherings of
volunteers, the first toast was that of "Her Most
Gracious Majesty the Queen." (Applause.) He had
great pleasure in giving them the Queen.—God bless
her (ap)lause) and the band "The National
Anthem."
The CHAIRMAN said they must press on, MI there
were a number of toasts to propose, and a long list of
prizes to distribute. It would be unnecessary for him to
dilate upon the qualities of the royal family, they were
so well-known. All knew how well the Queen had
conducted her household and howadmirably the young
Princes had turned out. They were all engaged in
some pursuits, wete thoroughly appreciated, and they
had good reason to be proud of their royal family.
(Applause.) He gave then "The Prince and Princess
of Wales and the rest of the royal family."
(Applause.)
Band "God bless the Prince of Wales."
The Rev. H. P. Reiraas had been asked to propose
the next toast, "The Army, Navy, and Reserve
Forces." It was with great pleasure he did so, as 20
years ago he was captain of the East York Militia, and
had taken an interest in such regiments. He could say
that ever since the time he was "rocked in hb
cradle" he had never felt more secure than whilst he
had been residing in the town where the 3rd D.R.V.
exists]. (Laughter sad applause.)
Trooper HARDING responded on behalf of the
Yeomanry. He hoped that if ever called upon, they
would do their duty, and that when the Yeomanry
came down with their charge upon the foe, they would
be backed by the Volunteers, and he was sure they
would soon find their enemies behind them. (Applause,
and laughter caused by a cruel way suggesting audibly
that the Yeomanry would be soon decamping!)
Battalion Quarter-Master NEWMAN on behalf of the
Volunteers was sure that if ever called upon, they
would do their duty as Englishmen, and would soon
repel any enemy. (Applause.)
Sub-Lieutenant WILLIAMS proposed "The Bishop
and Clergy of the Diocese." They were present that
evening as soldiers, and as such could appreciate the
efforts of our clergymen, who were waging a constant
battle against the evils abounding, and he was sure
they would most cordially drink the health of the
Idabel> and clergy. The name of the Rev. 11. P.
itaikes was coupled with the toast.
The Rey. IL P. lianas had very at pleasure in
responding th to e toast so cordially proposed and
receiviaL It was the first time he had received an
invitation to be present at their annual dinner, and he
had thoroughly enjoyed himself. In spite of the
opinion of some that clurymen were only in their
proper places when in their churches, he had
respoutled to the invitation, believing that lie could
get some good in coining. (Applause.) Ile believed
more in practice than in preaching, awl was sure that
the every day actions of a MAU WW4 that which had
effect with poisons. He was always the butter, and
obtained some weel by meeting with gentlemen as on
the present occasiou—(applaneu)—and as lung as he
was in Dorchester he hoped to be able to meet with
them, and would do all in his power to advance the
interests of the town. (Applause.) He thanked them
very heartily to behalf of the bishop and clergy for
the cordial manner in which they had received the
toast.
The Cibilanair said the next toast was one to which
they all attached great importance—" The Mayor,
Aldermen, and Town Councillors of the Borough."
They had the honour of having the Dlayor present at
his (the chairman's) right hand that evening--(applause)
—and although they knew he was their hon. surgeon,
yet he came there as Mayor of the Borough, and they
much appreciated his kindness. (Applause.) They
felt, as volunteers, anxious to support the Mayor and
magistrates in carrying out the business of the
boreugh, but that evening they did not intend to
have either borough or imperial politics introduced.
(Applause.) He (the Chairman) would not touch
upon them, as he was not then Mr. Hodges, of
Dorchester, but (having put on his uniform) he was
Capt. Hodges, of the 3rd mice. (Applamie.) Ile (the
captain) was sure they all were ',leaned to see the
Mayor and other members of the Corporation present,
and would drink their healths with a great deal of
pleasure. (Applause.)
The Mania thanked them very heartily for the
kind way in which they had received the lad toast.
He appreciated their kindness the more, as there had •
been recently differences of opinion as to various
subjects. As they well knew his Iredecesson, had
given a prize, and he (the Mayor had felt great
i pleasure n doing ae they had done. e was interested
In the volunteer movement, and, as good citizens, they
all took an interest in everything that was done
that conduced to the welfare of the country.
(Applause.) He was very pleased to be with them
that evening and hoped they should meet on many
similar occasions, and that he should then be there in
his uniform. (Applause.)
Dr. ALDatieis endorsed the few sensible remarks
uttered by their worthy Mayor. He had been in the
Corporation for a great number of years, and he was
sure they (the Corporation) had the interests of the
town at heart,. They had large stakes in the town,
and therefore did all they could for its welfare and
prosperity. They may have come to wrong decisi ~,,
on some occasions but they had always acted to the
best their ability, and had done that which they
believed would conduce to the welfare ,of the
inhabitants. (Loud applause.) Their clerical friend
there that evening, who had come into the town
within the last few years, had put himself forward
and had add the town was being dictated to, but where
was the dictator He (Dr. Aldridge) was sure there
was no dictator in the Council, and it struck him the
dictator was outside the Council. Did his clerical
friend think that men who had lived in the town for
40 or 50 years required to be told who they should vote
for They (the Corporation) may have offended a few
persons, but they had been sent there to represent the
inhabitants by persons who had every confidence in
them' and, if they had acted up to the trust reposed in
them by voting to the best of their opinion, what more,
be asked, could they do (Applause.) If on any
particular ',caution they had acted contrary to the
opinion of the inhabitants, they had acted according
to the dictates of their own consciences. As to the
avenues of the town, there were few who hall laboured
harder than he (Dr. Aldridge) had to preserve them,
• and for a large number of years he had contributed
towards keeping them in a proper state. It was
recnstroue to infer that they wanted to destroy their
beautiful avenues; lie was proud of them, and would
do all he could to preserve them as lung as lie had the
honour of holding a seat in the Council. (Applause.)
He was a man of peace himself, and he would not
di•turb their harmony by dwelling further mien that
subject, but he heartily thanked them for the
manner in which they had ma:hist the toast. (Ap-
plaume.
Mr. .1) F. I who was repeatedly Ladled for,
and wit., on rising was nasived with rapturous cheer-
ing, again aud again renewed, said he felt the same
interest in the 3r,1 D.R.V. now as he did when they
were first enrolled 17 years ago, and, although at his
time of life he could not be amongst them NO much as
he had been, he watched their doings with pleasure.
The good drill and diecipline of the 3rd D.R.V. he
felt had conduisal much to the welfare and prosperity
of the county town. Being presented with the silver
cup at their late meeting at laelmoor as the best
drilled cons was a great honour. (Applause.)
Efficiency to merit that cup was not won with a single
day's efforts or the efforts of one man. (Applause.)
It required attention and Perseverance to their duties,
as it was not an easy matter t win such a prize.
Applause.) He would not enter into details in thank-
ing them for so cordially receiving the lad toast, as he
felt that, whatever decision they (the Corporation) had
arrived at, everyone must give them credit for having
acted to the best of their belief, and for endeavouring
to do thcir duty in the position in which they had
been placed. (Loud applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave in etah:),,istic terms "The
health of their Borough Member. It was unneces-
sary for him (the chairman) to enlarge on Mr.
Brymer'e merits, as his i.rootl qualities were too well
known to all of them. It was owing to a little nib,.
er.,trastaodiug as to the time that he was not there
that evening, but they wt,nld drink his health most
cordially AsPelailael and, d. R. T., "We will march
..ver and see Idui sane evening, sir." (Laughter and
applause.)
The ( .11AI RN AN sal,' that the name of Meisel
was enough to impart endemism' to all of thew— (ap-
plause)--and he wag sure they would receive the toast
1.1 the most hearty manner. He was a ery glad to tell
them that Colonel Mansel was still to remain as their
honorary oohmeL Re (captain Hodges) had had the
honour of forwarding hie commission to hisll a few
days since, said the gallant colonel io reply had said lie
hoped they Isould go ou proeperously for many years.
He (the chairman) had very great plea•-ure in *eking
them to drink ' The Health ,A Colonel Hansel.
(Rapturous applause, said" He's a jolly good fellow.")