The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-05-26 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT YEOMANRY
CAVALRY AT WEYMOUTH.

Monday ens • glorious day for the yeomanry. not-
withstanding the strong easterly wind which blew from
off the sea, indicating • rather uncomfortable task for
those who contemplated competing in the afternoon for
the prises offered by the committee in the aquatic
sport.. At• it nerter.t nine o'clock the bugle sounded
the assembly for cavalpax ry drill. At ten o'clock nearly
the art ole of the yeomanry were drawn up before the
'head quarters, and at 10 minutes past 10 they marched,
under the commando) Lord Grosvenor, to th e race gr ou nd,
at Lodmoor, where they were followed by several Jack
tars mounted on donkeys, and who erected great Amy*.
meet by their drolleries, both to the volunteers and to
the looker. on. On arriving at the race course they
, were put through the various militery evolutions up till
half.past two, when they returned by the same route to
the town. The Esplanade, prior to the return of the
yeomanry, had mounted its spring appearanoe. but im-
mediately the yeomanry were seen ascending Green-
hill, and the strains of the band were heard. thousands
lined the &pinned° 11l if by magic. The balconies were
also filled by ladies, which added to the gay and pleasing
app, amnee of the scene. The yeomanry presented •
very different appearance from what they did last year,
when they returned from Lodmoot in • perfectly drenched
state, through the inclement weather, being now in
their best condition. The troops wire dismissed at
twenty minutes to three, and eft, r dinner they mustered
strongly on the pier and Esplanade to witness
Tug AQUATIC SMITS.
At four o'clock, the committee to carry out the day's
aquatic sports arrived on board • barge, which was
moored off the pier. The barge was gaily decked with
flags, and the pier head also sported its buntings. The
eutumittee emulate' of Messrs. Pidgeop, Charles.
Welrford. and Hamm. Captain Murray, commander of
the Achilles, kindly volunteered his anaistance in acting
as *tarter to the boated the fleet, and through his efficient
help general satirfaction was given both to the crews of
the fleet and the other competitors in the boat races.
The pier was thronged by thousands, sod the band of
the Minstour played several excellent selections during
the afteinoon. The scene near the rings, Pulteney-
buildings, and the pier and Esplenede, reminded us of
the appearance of Dover, on the arrival of their Imperial
Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Frame, on the
16th of April, 1855. But the scene hers was • more
animated and striking one. The pier teemed with life,
and the hearty applause of the "tars" on the arrival of
the winning beide wee most exhilarating. For the
past three years Weymouth has not been honoured by the
visit of the fleet during the Yeomanry week, but this
year the Channel Fleet have aided meterially to the
enjoyment of the sports provided by the committee.
In the course of the morning handbills were freed)
circulated by the oommittee announcing that the officer.
of MM. Fleet would now • raw in the afternoon in six
oared galleys, in front of the Esplanade. for a prise,
consisting of • bouquet of flowers, which would be pre-
sented to the winning crew by • lady of Weymouth,
and, all honour to the ea..' officer., the contest was
accepted by the gallant officers of the iron club. of Old

England. _
At four o'clock the committee firei the first gun to
prepare for the first race, but it was nearly a quarter-
put before the boats left the steam launch which was
stationed to the left of the pier head. The following
boats manned by the officers of the fleet contested for
THE LADIES' BOUQUET PRIZE.
Achilles, Bub-Lieutenant Hamilton, coxswain ... I
Defence, Midshipman Dawes. coxswain 2
Ilinatour, flag ship, Midshipman Barrow. coxswain 3
The boats were drawn up in a line with the eouirnittee
boat, and • good start era. made. The course was about
a mile and • qusrter retold the flag buoys, which Wen)
kindly lent to the committee by Captain Murray. The
Achilles' crew bent well to the oar, pulling • goo.l stroke
through • heavy ground swell, which at times solaced
the crews of their respective boats. The Achilles was
closely followed by the Defence, and the Minatour was
smartly in their wake. In rounding the flag buoy the
Lehilles was leading about a boat length, but as thy
passed the second fiat a splendid ram ensued, especially
when they got into the straight. Eich coxswain was
seen urging on the crew, both the Achilles end Defence
pulling as fresh as when they started. When %Rhin
distance the Defence pot on • sport but failed to reach
the Achilles by half &length, when the gun was fired on
board the committee boat. As the Cr. wof the Achilles
landed at the head of the pier they were loudly cheered,
especially when Miss Addison, the daughter of the Rev.
J. Addison, presented the handsome bouquet to Lieut.
Hamilton, the coxswain of the winning boat. The
bouquet was gathered from Mr. A. Devenish's garden.
A PURSE OF SEVEN Boos., for Ltunches belonging to
Hid'.. Fleet. First prise £4, emend L'2, third Li.
Twice round the course.
At half-past four an animated SOPI3e was witnessed by
the approach of seven of the Fleet launches, each launch
having a crew of eighteen, with their cosewain. Captain
Murray brought the boats in a line at the left of the
committee boat, but he immediately altered the starting
point, and the launches were lined in the following
order :—Achilles, 1 ; Royal Oak, 2 ;Defence, 3 ; Prince
Consort, 4 ; Warrior —(uminos), 5 ; Minatour, 6 ;
Warrior, 7. A magnificent start was effected at 28
minutes to five o'clock, the launches going well together
until they reached about 15 yards, when the Minatour
dropped astern of the Warrior, endeavouting to get
third in line. The launches went straight to the flag
buoy, the whole of the melee keeping well together,
pulling extraordinarily strong against the ground swell,
which added to the beauty of the race, showing what
our sailor( can do in • lumpy sea. The Achilles as she
approached the front flag gained slightly on the Royal
Oak, and on mooing she was a boat length in advance
of the latter, which was closely followed by the Prince
Consort, which was noted by its colours bearing the skull
and marrow bones, the motto of the 17th Lancers—" Death
and Glory Boys." On approaching the *ow mime boat the
Achilles was leading about four lengths, doing the first
round in 13 minntes and • quarter (timed by one of
Benson's chronotnetersl. The Royal Oak was closely
followed by the Prince Cousort, who wee three length.
setern and a length ahead of the Defence, followed by
the Warrior manned by the wartime, who pulled well
the %Detour next, and the Warrior a long way astern,
having met with • mishap, and the crew retired from
the race on reaching the committee host. Half way
between the committee boat and the flag buoy, the
Arkin** put on a fine sport to the flag, and she rounded
at 94 minutes to 5. The Royal Oak at 7 minutes to 5,
and the Defence at fii minutes to 5. On reaching the
steam launches the winning crew were loudly cheered,
which was taken up by the men-of.war's men on the pier,
and the band of the Minatour struck ups lively air as the
boats came in. The Achilles reached the committee boat
when the gun fired at 2 minutes to 5, and the Defenee
got in at 5 o'clock, Sub-Lieutenant Hamilton was the
coxswain of the winning clew, which done the distance in
the remarkable short time of 26 minutes.
A Postai Or Foot Soes. for 6-oared Gigs belonging to
H.R.'s Fleet. First prize t/, second 1:1 10a, third
104. The rase was to have been rowed in heats, but
the committee altered the race to once round the flag
buoy. Fonr crews competed for the prizes :
Minstour, No. 2... ••• ..• 3
As the first gun fired the boats got off well, and went
spinning at • terrific pace at 19 minutes past five o'clock.
The crew of No. 1 Minatour pulled well together, fol-
lowed by the Prince Consort and the Defence. On
rounding, the Defense fouled the flag buoy, which threw
her out of thii race. The Minatour came in at 26
minutes end a half past five, doing the distance in seven
and half minuted, followed closely by the crew of the
Prince Consort. On reaching the committee boat a
dispute arose between the crews of the Minatour and
Prime Consort, the letter being discontented about the
right of position at starting, having won the toss for
choice of pima The committee awarded the prises in
the order they mine in, and • match waa made between
the crews of the Minatour and Prime Consort.
A Poses Or THREE SOPS. for four-oared Galleys (all
comers). First prise, 4:2; second, tl.
There were three entries for this rate, and the sea
looked rather uninviting to the crews. Notwithstanding
the strong breeze blowing from the eastward, the crews
areemblei at the committee boat at 20 minutes to six
o'clock. The winning crew of Mr. E. Pidgeon's Katie
was composed of Harry Mace, Edward Pidgeon, A.
Power, James Vye, coxswain J. Shaddock. A splendid
start was made at 25 and a half minutes to six, and
the betting was 6 to 4 on blue, who, in company
with red, soon put the crew of black in the
shade. The mos was neck and neck until they
rounded the boor, when red shot a-head, blue pulling
hard to windward, and she shipped • heavy sea, drench-
ing tae stroke oar. Nothing daunted they put on a
spurt, gaining on red stroke by stroke, the latter crew
pulling a strong but steady stroke at the half-distanee.
They were again neck and neck, and a deal of betting
was going on about the finish, as both crews were well-
known. When opposite the steam laushes red fouled
blue, but they cleared themselves without altering their
position until ',Mita 100 yamte of the eommittee boat,
when red shot ahead amidst much cheering from their
partisans, but it soon beams evident that the coxswain
was confused, as to whether it was twiee round the
course, as he steered her acme, the bows of blue and
another foul ensued. After 'operating red pulled away
from the committee boat and blue kept her proper
course, coining it as above. A dispute arose between
the crews of red and blue, but the committee over-ruled
the objection made by red, as they fouled blue, as we
stated before. Black was nowhere in the race after
passing the buoy. A match was made for double the
amount of the prize to be rowed for on Tuesday evening.
A Poetic or Flea Gooses for Cutters belongieg to
14. M.' • fleet. First prize, £2; second, 1:1 10s.; third,
155. Twigs round the course.
Ten beista emanated for this rice, and they were all
In a line when the gun fired, but eight refused to Mart,
objecting to row against the two yawls, manned by the
crew of the Boecawen, who started off at • good pitee.
During the time several officers came on board the
committee boat, and it was ultimately agreed to give
them the two first prizes, and the others oneupeted for
similar prizes. We think the omamittee should have
objected to the yawls starting, as it was not fair to the
crews of the cutters to row against such odds, the
yawls being so much lighter. The money went to the
crew of the Boemwen. At a little after six the mis-
understanding was amicably settled, and eight cutters
mine to the starting point. The Ashilles was backed for
a deal of money,one gentleman laid £6O even that Prince
Consort would win, which was excepted. The cutters
were stationed as follows :
Minatour
Prince Consort • 2
••• ••• •••
St. George, No. 2 ---------------3
Defence
Achilles

Warrior
.
A capital start— took.plue . The—arewof- °the
Prince Consort being the favourites they went to sink
In good form, and the Defence wu just belt • minute
behind her when she rounded the first buoy. The cox-
swain, chief boatsmen's mete Hatch, was most con-
spicuous, as he was evidently working as hard is the
crew in steering the cutter. As she rounded the second
buoy she headed the Defence two boats lengths,
and the Minatour was a long way astern when they
put on a good spurt, and took second lead on pasting
the steam launches, amidst the cheers of the men Lod
marines on board. On reaching the committee boat
the greeted szeiteiment prevaikd, both with the trews

Se well so everyone who saw the round. The Prince
Consort took rather swirl, berth of the committee
boat, but the coxswain of the Minatonr showed greet
tact and came in the weather aide, jest clearing the
weather side by about • foot, coining into the etruight
on the second round neck and neck with the Princes
te°he"°terrot'cualtmrs.quifiThmentDerate'neeb"inngadethteheressenmite robentnwdeeens
the Prince Consort, and was cut out by the St. George
and the Achilles, Medusa I tiled at tbp turning to the
streight, loosing the third place which sbe had
hitherto maintained. The Minatoor and Prince
Consort kept well together till they tamed the second
bony, when the crow of the Minatour pulled themselves
together and shot well ahead of the Prince Consort,
showing the crew had plenty of star in them. The
Prince Consort crew worked well together, bat their
chance was gone, and the Minstour came in a wince r
a beat and a half length in fent rif the Prince Consort,
both crews rowing well and fre.h at the finish. The
St. George was twelve lengths behind, followed
elooely by the 1/efenoe, Achilles, and Worrirr, the
Medusa being &stern. Tire race was rowed
by the winners in 18 minutes, •nd was the best
race of the afternoon. Thus ending a srlendid
day's aquatic ogorts. In the eveni.ng the bend of the
yeomanry, under the direction of Mr. Eyers, plefeg
porn, beautiful overture, and selections in front of the
Royal Hotel, to the greet delight of thousands who bad
eseembled to heat the beautiful band of the regiment.
In the evening • capital entertainment were given by
Mr. Belton, the lessee of the Theatre, in which Captain
Beyly, of amateur celebrity, played exeeedingly well,
drawing forth fr,quent appleme from the audience.
Concerts were also given at the Golden Lion, and the
new concert room at the London Hotel, and well
lateonised by the yeomanry and their friends. Some
good condo singing and mud,' was listened to with
delight.
Tuesday broke forth beautifully fine, and the regiment
assembled in the morning at Head Quorters and pro-
°netted to their exercise gritted at Lorlinoor, where they
were pot through their cavalry movement& Many
regrets have been cot reseed by the Yeomanry at the
unavoidable absence of their gannet commander,
Lientenant-Colonel Lord Digby, through illness, and one
or two of the troops are very abort of officer., but, not-
withstanding these drawbacks, the men Love gone
through their dell to the great satisfaction of their
officers. In the afternoon six men of each troop
proceeded to the Chesil Beach to compete for

THE RILGIMVITAL CUPS.

The distanee was 200 yards, 3 shots each. The i
following are the scorn :
SIIIRRBoRNII TROOP.— Sergeant Crocker 2, Privatea
George Coombs 6, Kentish 0, Pragnell 5, T. tltierrin 7, ,
K. Vincent°. Teta IQ
VALE 'flione.—Privates B. English 2, A. Harris 2,
S. Stevens 6, M. Benjalield 4, T. Davis 4, It. Davis S.
Total 26.
WLEBOINE TROOP—Privates C. Frampton 4, Ely
Sharland 2. T. Squirts 0, Thomas Laing 0, J. F.
Hatehard 0. H. Scott 3. Total 9.
MILBURT Taimp.—Corporal Chlek 0, Privates W.
Creel 0, 11. Guppy 4, W. Reines, 0, W. Paulny 0, H.
West 2. Total 6,
DOECHERTZE TROOP.—Private Thos. Northover 2,
Sergeant Chilcott 6, Privates W. Rodall 3, E. Bishop 4,
G. Gill 4, T. Tolman 0. Total 19.
BLANDFORD TROOP.—Corponl FoolLS 7, Privates W.
Norton 3, W. Rogers 2. F. Rickman 7, H. Blandford 6,
T. Bellamy 2. Total 27.
Private It. Davis wse declared the winner of the
First Cup, having made 8 point.; and a tie occurred
between Private Thomas Sberrin (Sherborne), Girporal
Fooka (Illandford). and Private F. Rickman (Mandford).
The greatest excitement prevailed as to who should
carry off the second prise, and on shooting off Shemin
obtained 3, Fouks 2, and Rickman missed the target.
Sherren was therefore declared the winorr of the
Second Cup. The pmts.. will be presented to the win-
ners on Saturday morning nest.
After the shooting the weather suddenly underwent
a change, a slight thunder storm passed over the
town, and it rained daring the whole of the evening.

1111 BALL.

A grand military ball took place at the Burdon Hotel,
and the following were present :—Lieat. Edwards,
Lieut. Gatukuier, It. G. Stephenson, Esq. and Mrs.
Stephenson and family, Mrs. Mc Turner, Dr. Wight
and Alm litaght and Unruly, Mrs. Cane and Miss
Cam-re, Miss Took, Miss Muller, Mr. Oldham, Mr. J.
Spain, Mr. Goddard. Mrs. Fenerick and Min Fenwick,
Mr. Whalley and the Miami Whalley, Lieut. Quirk.
C. P. 0. Kelly, Esq., Mrs. Port, Mrs. Dowe, Colonel
Slaulen, Major Montgomery, Major All'son, Major
Douglas, Miss Godden, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Addison,
Miss Lucy Bragge, Mies Florence, Lieut. Hayes, Miss
Chapman, the °Moors of the fleet, /to., Arc. Dancing
was kept op with great spirit till four o'clock, to Jones'
quadrille hand.