The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-06-07 00:00:00

VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS MOVEMENT.

The MAYOR said, the first subject for consideration
WAS, how far it was expedient to promote the establish-
ment of a Volunteer Rifle Corps within the borough of
Dqrchester and the neighbourhood.
Mr. ENnott thought that it would be advisable to wait
until Parliament met, and see what would result from
discession there, according to the suggestion of Lord
Portman; because, in all probability, some general
scheme would be publialted suitable for the whole
country, and not encouraging independent corps in each
town.
Mr. Coonsts considered that the preliminary step
would be to give notice that any one willing to join a
Corps of Volunteers might leave his name at the Town-
.
The TOWN CLERK said that persons desirous of serv-
ing as volunteers would be enrolled under the Act of
George 111, which was the saute Act as the Yeomanry
were enrolled under, and their list was submitted
to the Lord Lieutenant, who simply revised the docu-
ment. Volunteers, therefore, would be on the same
footing as the Yeomanry.
Mr. Howes did not think it would be right for the
Council and inhabitants tel be silent on the subject now
before the board. The Council isight pass • resolution
stating tint it is desirable to give All early opportunity
to the inhabitants for joining in the national movement
for the (urination of Volunteer Rifle Con's; and, en
anon as the Government plans were sufficiently deve-
loped, the organis.ition might rommence and the town
take prreeedangs in unison with the other towns in
the county. For the moment, organization wax sus.
pended in consequence of the intentions of Government
not being sufficiently matured, and the bases upon
which the corps were to be raised being unknown.
Mr. BISHOP held that the subject having been ~1 met
on the businesa-paper ought not to be lurked, and b
Council should not by so doing put itself in a wroli.:
and false position. As far as Government was COD-
. cerned they appeared to have done all they could or
: would do; they had gone into details AA to the supply
of accoutrements which were to funn the foundation of
a Volunteer Corps, and not of a corps enlisted through
the inatrumentality of a renuiting sergeant. Cieler
such cirounistances, therefore, he thought the iiiliabi•
tants of the town should be convened to ascertain their
opinion on the subject, and the Council might ask the
Mayor by resolution to call a public meeting to di!,
CUSS the matter. Meantime Parliament would in all
probability have signified their opinion.
Mr. COOMBS coincided in this suggestion, adding that
to obtain volunteers, either bills must he issued calling
upon the public and stating where names would be re• •
ceived, or a meeting must be held.
Mr. HODGES said the only announcements front the
Government hail teen publisi, d by the War Office, and
these were very defective. There was no doubt that iuucli
more extensive particulars would be issued.
The MAYott staksl that in consemense of observations
made to hint about the lukewarniness of this town com-
pared with other places, he requested tl.e notice to be
put upon the agenda Paper; and lie thought that, as far
as he as Mayor was concerned, he should not be accliwti
of improper conduct. If the hoard deemed it desirable
to call a public meeting, or to adopt any other susie con-
sidered conducive to further the object of forming •
Volunteer Corps in this borough, he should be happy to
comply with the wishes of the board.
Mr. Honors said that the Council ought to express
an opinion that they thought it advisable to take part
in the movement, and aim soon as matters were in train
he believed the town would not be backward. Names
of volunteers might be solicited.
Mr. Bistro? proposed " That it is expedient to promote
the establishment of • Volunteer Rille Coma for the
borough of Dorchester and its neighbourhood, and that
with that object the Mayor be requested to call • public
meeting on an early day to consider the whole subject."
The resolution passed 11(1)4.