The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-05-30 00:00:00

Local sub Distritt ilti)3s.

THE DOR3ET MILITIA.
After two month'd " occupation" by the Dorset
Militia, the county town has resumed its wonted quiet;
and boys whistling the bugle calls about the streets
alone tell of the intlitory fervour that has been mani-
fested during April and May. Considering the fickle-
pees ohtlie season, the Militia have had capital weather
for the training, and In no previous year have they
drilled so well or behaved so satisfactorily off parade,
Mrs. Bingham's forethought and devotion, in providing
for them at the old Corn• Exchange (readily granted by
the Town Council), means of recreation and entertain-
ment for both body and mind, have had the bappivst
results. The Savings' Bank bad deposits of over ;
about 100 of the men of the regiment are teetotallers
--and there is every reason to believe • con-tderable
number of them will stand fast to their declaration;
the work of Mr. Davis, the evangelist, has been
aidduously performed "in 1641012," and now and again
cheering evidence of the good done is brought for ward ;
the towasiolk commended the men highly for their con-
duct us regiment, and the Inspecting offieer praised
their " steadiness." So that good progress is made in
every direction and the two mouths training is a
gain to the country and to the men individually.
The &habil inspection took place on Thursday last;
when despite the heavy rain of the previous eight and
the lowering clouds of the morning, a larger number of
•stMcee than usual sassmbled on roandbury, to seo
.11a7
The regiment was represented by two field officers
L(the third., Lieut.-Colonel Lord Ashley, was absent on
ee). genuine., 9 subalterns, 3 staff caws. 31
aresamors, and 610 rank and file—total
W.."Of the rank and file there were 40 absentees, sue
captain and one subaltern were also absent. The
strength of the respective companies was as followi -
No. I Company. —Captain Edwin Burnett, Lout Sheridan,
3 secreents 3 corporals, 1 drummer, 84 privates—total 91.
No: n C. T. Hall, Lieut. PUteher, 3 sergeants, 3
corporals, I drummer 70 privates—total 88.
No. 3i—Captain Reeginald Aldridge, Lima. Austen, 3 Kr-
! pent., 4 corporals, 1 drummer, n privates—total 87.
No. 4. sOs R. Bingham, Lieut. Hansel, 3 sergeants, 3
rnMer 77 priaites—total 88.
CV.7l4.—Lisiu4 Arthur Comilla, 3 sirgeants, 4 oorporals, 1
dnimmer, 79 privates—torsi 87.
No. —Captain W. 11. Bower, Lieut. Brown, 3 sergeants. 3
corporals, 1 drummer, 78 privates—total 87.
No: 7.—Captain Beery Brouneker, lieut. Ferrer, 3 seraeuits,
3 corporals, dnimmer, 78ftIvates—total1vates—total 87.
No. B.—Lieut. Hornsby, usseants, 4 corporals, 1 druming,
79 privates—total 83
The inspecting officer, Colonel Cooper, of the 7th
Fusiliers, WU attended by two °Moors of the same reel-
suet. Captain Butler and Adjutant Maude, as aides-de.
In the barrackiazd at eleven o'clock, Col. Cooper
Inspected the heavy marching order, also the books,
hospital, and stores. After this the regiment left their
pacbi in the barrack yard, and marched to the drill
ground to Poluadbery. The spectators were kept from
ooeupying the epees required for the evolutions by the
Dorchester rifle sorps, who have performed thts friendly
office for many years poet. Captain Coombs was in
command, sad there were present Lieut. Hodges, Eosin
Williams. Ambilant-Siargeon Esneon. Quartermastxr-
Sergeant Newman, and Sergeants Durden, Cross,
itamese, sad Greening, the rank and file number-
ing 35. There was a large attendance of spec-
tators, and near the Plating barns was • long line of

eurrisiges.
At a little after 12 o'clock the regiment drawn up
in line at open order, received the inspecting dike,
with presented arms. Colonel Cooper then role down
the ranks. The regiment formed quarter column on
No. 1. Moved to the right in fours. Wheeled to the
kit. Column advanced, pegging in review. Formed
quarter column on front company- Counter-marched,
and pealed by the left with trailed arms. Formed into
line on the rear company. The regiment was then pat
through the manual and firing exercise by Major
I)avis. After which Colonel Bingham again took the
regiment in hand. Advanoed in line. Retired by fours,
from the right of companies. Halted. Formed quarter
column on No. 3. It then coming on to rain very hard,
Colonel Cooper desired Colonel Bingham to march the
regiment home, at the same time brit fly expressing his
great satisfaction at the appearance and steadiness of
the men, particularly remarkiog on the march past,
and the good report of their conduct daring the train-
ing • and further adding that he should have much
pleasure in making • most favourable report to head

_
quarters.
The regiment then marched to the barrack yard, I
where they took up their peeks. and then returned to 1
the town. 1
In the afternoon Colonel Bingham and the officer ; of
the regiment entertained a numerous and fuhionablo
company at a ciljaltur held in the Corn Eschango.
Amongst the 'sidles and gentlemen present were—Lady
Selina and Mr. Bond, Captain Foster, Captein Memel
and party. Captain Williams and °Blurs of the Royal
Horse Artillery, Lieut. and Mrs. Williams, Mr. T.
Coombs and Miss Coombe, Mr. 0. Bond, the Rev. J.
Hinds, Mr. and Miss Yeatman' Captain Warry, Rev.
Cr W. Bingham, Mr. Good, Captain Foster, Mr.
Bretton, Mist Clogstone, the Misses Emson, Mr.
Townsend, Mr. John Du Seeley Blennerhasset, Mr.
and Mrs. James, Rev. Mr. and lire. Headland. Mr.
and Mrs. Emma, Captain Sanctuary, R.N. Mrs.
Sanctuary, the Misses Churchill, Lieut. and Mrs.
Hodges. Milder and Mrs. Astell, Miss Aston. Mrs. and
Mimes Kinnaird, Miss C. T. Bower, Captain !tinsel
and party. Captain and Mrs. Coombs, the 11.11601 A.
and G. Coombs, Major 0311 op, Captain Leiria, Mrs. I
Moores, Mr. F. B. Pope, Mr. John Hinds, Miss Nesle,
the Mimes Fletcher, Mr. and Mrs. Webster, the il sees
Wright, Mrs. Conroy, Mr. Herbert and the Mimes
Hodges, Mr, and Mrs. Hodges, Mr. and Mrs. O. W.
Ferrer, Mr. G. J. Andrews, Mr. R. Andrews. Miss
&woo, Miss itolpb, Mr. 11. B. and Miss Middleton,
Mrs. Burnett, and the Misses Selby and Borne, Mrs.
Davis, and Mrs. Arnoll, Miss Bower, Mr. A. Pope and
friends, M. J. Symonds, and Dr. Aldridge.
At five o'clock Mrs. Bingham gave, at the Town Hall,
at her own expense, a substantial tea to all the men
of the regiment. It was originally intended that this
should take place in the barrack sieve, but the rain
necessitated a change in the arrangements. The men
sat down as usual in "relays." and ample justice was
done to the good and liberal fare to which they were so
handsomely treated. Colonel and Mrs. Bingham, the
Rev. C. W. Bingham, Rev. E. W. Pears, and others
were present.
In the upper room of the Town Hall the officers of
the regiment and company entertained at the dejc deer
bad a stenos to the strains of Targett's quadrille baud
from Southampton. The room was tastefully adorned
Mr. Hannah, upholsterer, of Cernhill, and with choice
plants from the conservatories of Maseru Harris and
Son.

flie regiment was disbanded on Saturday.