The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-10-30 00:00:00

THE DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS

Barron 2 of the above (open only to recruits of this
year. who had not previously served in a volunteer
amp.). Five rounds each at 150 and 200 yenta. En-
trance, is. Sin competed. First, Fl, Private Guy,
17; a. v. 0.1, 10s., Private Martin, 16 ; Private J.
S•ayner, 13; fourth, the entran. fees (34.) Privato
Vine. at ; but beim( one td tl o.e who made the
lowest scores in the various competitions, whereby
he became entitled to one t.f the consolation
prises—tbe entrance fees, therefore, fell into the
hands of Private It Etayner, with 9 point.. The
average number of points vras 11.3.

THR CONSOLATION PRIZES, to be competed for by the
three members making the lowest scores in each of the
above competitions. Vint. a cup given by Private T.
Saundent• •econd, • flask presented by Private Jeffrey.
--Privaa
a Mabee and Vincent made each 11 ;minis.
end on abootine off, the cup fell into the hande of
licher, while Vincent carried off the flask.

The day's pmoeedings were brought to • close by
an excelknt dinner to the members and friend, of
the corps, which took place at the Plume of Feathers,
Piinces'-street, at which upwards of 70 ear down.
The captain of the corps (T. Coombe, Esq.) presided,
and was supported by Lieut. Hodges, his Worship
the Mayor (Dr. Aldridge), Alderman Galpin,
Mr. W. W. Fyfe, Councillors Lock, Steele, an 4
Colour-Sergeant Gregory, Sergeant Randall (2nef
D. H.V.). Sergeant Ourden, Sergeant Corte, sod
Messrs. Mears, W. Manley, J. Fudge, R.
tcc. Serizeant•Maj, r Newman ably filled the vice.
chair, supported by Sergeant Cross, and numerous
friends of the oorpe.
The cloth having been removed, the gallant
CIIAIRM•N proposed "The Queen," which having
been received with appropriate demonstrations of
loyalty, for which the volunteers are noted, he pro-
ceeded to award the prises which had been competed
for during the afternoon, in rotation according to
the list given above. Each successful competitor, on
advancing to the bead of the table, was greeted
with the cheers of the assembly. Thie part of the
evening's proceedings over,
The CHAIRMAN neat gave "The Prince and
Prim:aloof Wales and the rest of the Royal Family,"
V. 'flowed by "The Bishop and Clergy of the
Diocese." In proposing the latter, he alluded to the ,
absence of the honorary chaplain of the corps, the
Rey. J. Fisher, whose best wishes and sympathies
he was sure was with them, but whose absence was
to be accounted for by • domestic bereavement to
which he had been subject, in the recent death of
his father.

The CHAIR/A'. in giving the "The Mayor,
Alderman, and T.,wn Council," observed that he MIS
glad to see his worship amongst them on that 00011-
.ion, and also to see the Aldermen and Council so
well represented by the number of members present.
The toast was drank with musical honours.
The Mason, on rising to reopond, was well re- I
ceived. He thanked them for the honour they had
shown to him personally as their Mayor, and also for
that shown to his colleagues. It was with very
great pleasure that be always met them on thine
kindly social occasions. He was very glad of an
opportnnity of being present, and of meeting them,
and he looked forward to many future happy meet-
ings, and he hoped many years to have an opportu-
nity of enjoying much social gatherings with them.
The volunteer movement was an institution of which
they might all well be proud, and he thought their
borough town might well be proud of the 3rd !Newt
corps. The movement was oos of great importance
and it must be regarded as a souros of gratification
and pride to see such a gallant body of men in their
midst as was to be found existing in the volunteer
ranks. He thanked them heartily for their kind
reception of the toest—(applause).
The MAYOR acid be had the permission of the
Chairman to propose the next toast, and it was one
which he was satisfied they would receive with all
honour and cordially respond to. It was nothing
Imes than that of "The health of their gallant Chair-
men"—(cheers). As a gentleman he was well known
and respected by all who knew him, and was ad-
mirably adapted to fill the position which he held,
and as long as they had sue'. • gentleman at their
head as their oncomanding ofßoer, be felt certain
that they would he sure to pmeper—(applause). He
might be regarded as • kind of social chameleon,
with the faculty of changing his colour *wording to
circumstances, sometimes yellow or blue, and at
others green--(laughter). Hence they found him
filling with honour and credit the position of senior
alderman in the corporation, and the under-sheriff
for the county, equally respected in both; and then
they had him in his military capacity as their cap•
tin. showing the greatest possible efficiency. Volun-
eering was essentially a British and an English
institution. His (the Mayor's) father was a captain
in the first patriotic band of volunteers, 60 years ago,
when the fear of the first French invasion paralysed the
land. They could now boast of 180,000 or more
effective volunteers who had patriotically come for.
ward to prevent the presence of an enemy from
appearing upon our shores and to preserve the
nation in its integrity. He was gratified with
the very great efficiency which was shown by
the volunteers as a body and particularly with that
displayed by the Dorchester corps—(applause). It
was not improbable that they might be shortly
armed with the needle gun and then who would be
able to withstand the volunteer force of this country
—Buser, hear). It was with pleaure that be gave
the health of their gallant chairman who had been
with them from the first, and he had passed through
the different grades, until he now had the honour of
commanding them, and so efficient had he proved
himself that they had only to follow his guidance,
and if they did so they need fear the result—
(ch,ers). The toast was drank with honours.

Tee 'gallant CHAIRMAN on rising to acknowledge
the compliment was received with prolonged cheer-
ing. He felt grateful to the Mayor for bia high
praise., but if they were deserved he felt thatthey had
only been earned for him by themselves. Hs anold
never have carried out hie duties had not his efforte
been seoonded by them am • body. it was with con-
siderable feelings of pride that he saw them so
efficient, and for their encouragement he might tea

them that there were two companies partfcularly
noticed by the commanding officer at the late review
at Sherborne, and one of them was dot 3rd Dorset—
(applause). He felt road and grateful to the town
for the support it had given, and to the men in
coming forward as they bad done, and thanked them
for the compliment they bad paid him, and con-
cluded by espressing his earnest wishes for the
welfare of the corps. He was again warmly cheered
on resuming his seat . _ _

The CHAIRMAN next /eve "Th. health of Colonel
Mensal and the staff officers of tho battalion." They
were all pretty well aware how indefatigable the
gallant Colonel wag in &Mending to the work be-
longing to his offloe, particularly at camp time. Ile
was at work late and early, and when in the field
they well knew that he was able to give that in.
etructioa which had made the battalion as effective
sat was—(applause).
The CHAIRMAN Heat gave "The Donors of
prism," remarking that oxis cause of the ODOM=
attending prize meetings was that of having
onus to offer. He had before him a list
of gentlemen who Lad assisted them on that day,
and be rejoiced to ain the name of an old friend of
the corps among the number—Major Kinderaley—
(cheers). Had hie health permitted in all probability
he would have filled the post of honour which he
himself then filled, but not being able to stand the
exposure and onotinual exertion connected with
active service, an offloe had been found for him in the
battalion, which he bad been enabled honorably to
fill without • great amount of labour and exertion.
He also saw the names of Dr. Sisson Hawkins, the
everlasting friend of the corps, also those of Colonel
Stun and Mr. Sheridan all of whom had oome
forward in the most liberall manner with their sub-
scriptions towards their annual prize meeting. He
hoped that another year they would receive the same
support et their heads. The namee of Private Satin-
dere and Jeffery were templed with the tout.
Private Saumnia• briefly responded. He felt
that he was 'wooly worthy to have his name asso-
ciated with the other gentlemen named, but tie
bad always felt • great interest in the corps. During
the past year
.pressure of business bad prevented him
from giving that time and attending so often as he
could have wished, but he could not forget the many
bonny gatherings which they had had together, and
be thought to show that although be had not been
with them so often, he still felt an interest in their
proceedings, he would give • prise as • small
memento of the pleasure he bad felt in being asso-
ciated with them —(cheers).
The CH•IRMAN Heat proposed "Th. Health or
Sergeant Randall," of the Wareham corps, and
alluded to the assistance which he bad rendered to
the battalion by the use of his land at Lalworth
for the purpoee of their annual camp gathering, and
in the trouble which he had taken every year in pre-
paring the ground and rendering what assistance he
could to them when in camp—(applause).
Sergeant R•ND•LL wan received with loud cheers.
110 said that being able to facilitate the volunteer
movement by doing what he had done had been a
great pleasure to him, and be was ready and willing
to do the same again, so long a. the battalion might
think proper to hold their annual camp at Lulworth.
--(loud applause).

HODOLII said be had great pleasure in
proposing "The health of the honorary insulters and
subscribers to the oorpa" They could never go on
without the sinews of war and he was glad to
find that there were those who cheerfully contri-
buted to their necessities and expenses. To them
he expreseeed his gratitude on behalf of the corps
mid coupled with the tout the names of Councillor
Steel, Alderman Galpin, and Mr. llauley—(ap
plume).

Mr. Councillor &mats responded. He expressed
the pleasure which he felt in supporting so patriotic
and tearful a movement. He thought its utility
could not be questioned when they looked at the
events which had recently taken place on the Conti-
nent. The thanks of the nation were due to those
wh° oolisposed it, and the volunteers ought to feel
theinagyee honored in belongiog to it. He hoped
that they would always and the Doroliester corps an
efficient one, and that the num •er of subscribers
would be increased, which he thought might easily
be done by • little canvassing. [At • subsequent
stage of the prooeedingsldr. Steele mid be had looked
dowa the len of the subscribers and he regretted
that *bare were so few. He should in future con-
sider himself an anneal eabseriber of a guinea and he
hoped many mon would follow his sminapial

A duet by Sergeant Code and Private Ling was
then sung, which waa mock applauded—Private
Boyton Smith accompanying on the pianoforte with
his well known skill and ability.

. -
The CHAIRMAN said he had lewd pleasure in pro.
posing as their nest toast "Their brethren in arms."
He was ,lid to find that the Artillery branch of the
servioe was represented among them on that festive
occasion. They were always glad to meet their
brethren and associate with them in the spirit of
social fraternization. He was not certain if their
was a member of the Yeomanry present, but he
believed that Mr. Manley had formerly belonged to
that branch of the service_ He would couple with
the toast the names of Gunner Knight and Mr.
Manley (loud applause).
.f. H. KNIGHT (4th C. P. A. V )was
enthosiasticilly cheered on riving to acknowledge
the compliment on .iehelf of the artillery, with
whom his name had been associated. He alluded
to the fact that there was no volunteer artillery in
Dorchester, but he was glad to find that the rifles
were OD well represented and an liberally supported.
He felt that if ever he was called into activ• service,
either in connection with his own corps or with any
other, he could only wish that he might be supported
by such efficient inarkernen as those he had met
with during the short time be hail been a resident
in Dorset (veleta...). Ile fully endorsed the seliti•
wenta expressed by his worship the Mayor with
regard to their gallant chairman, that eo long as
they were offioered by such gentlemen the corps
would be sure to progress In the south of Eog-
land, in Sussex, although the volunteer corps were
more numerous and mustered stronger, he regretted
to say that in many instances there was a want of
sympathy between the lacers and men which mili-
tated against the success of the movement. They
had had • larger sum of money to compete for that
day than had been given as prima to the corps which
he belonged during the sit years of its existence
(renewed applause). He thotight that in the
encouragement given to the men in the west—by
their prize and social gatherings, and by their camp
assembly annually at Lulworth—oontrasted most
favourably with that of the tenth. With such
entiouragemente held out to them, it was no wonder
that their efficiency was kept up and that they made
en many good marksmen. He had had occasion to
analyse the returns of the shooting of several of the
Dorset corps, and the result showed an average
which reflected upon them the highest credit (hear,
hear). He thanked them for the warm reception
they had given to him as a comparative stranger
among them, and temarked that though he was
liable to be called upon to do duty, if required, in
another branch of the service, yet their aim aod
objects might be said to be both one—that of defence
not defiance—that of peace and not of war. He
hoped that the good feeling which had existed be-
tween the two services would always continue to
en int —(iowl applause).
. . .

Mr. it•NLEY 1111110 briefly replied, remarking that
his avntpatbies were with the volunteers although
he had never been one himself.

"The Health of the sucoessful competitors" was
given by the CHAIRMAN, co.tplerl with the name of
Corporal Greening.
Corporal GREENING, as the winner of the gold
medal and • prise of £7, was warmly cheered. lie
haying briefly responded.
Mr. Councillor LRCM proposed the next toast
The corps was most fortunate in possessing • good
commander, but alone he could not command mons
--good juniors were necessary and in this they were
equally fortunate in their Leiutenent and Ensign, and
he beeged to propose "The health of Lieut, Hodges
and Ensign Williams"—(applanse). They bad seen
that day the gallant lieutenant's efficiency as far as
shooting um concerned, and if he was correctly
Informed, there was no part of his duties but what
be wee well up in—(cheers). With regard to their
ensign, the name of Williams was a honored name
amongst them, and he hoped the younger breaches
of the family would emulate those older branches
which they still held in remembrance. The toast
was drank with musical honours.
Leutenent MONICA tendered his thank. for their
expression of good-will towards him. He was ex-
ceedingly pleased to be prevent, and on behalf of
Ensign Williams, he might safely say although he
was not with them in person, that he was with them
in spirit. For himself, he could say that there were
always two days in the year that he looked forward
to, namely, their opening day, when they assembled
for the first time in the beginning of the season,
with fresh hopes and with renewed rigour to com-
mence the campaign, and the present occaoioa, when
they closed the season's work by • pleasant day's
shooting and the social gathering they were then
participating in. lie assured them that he possessed
as great an interest in the prosperity of the corps as
he did on the day when he 6tet joined—(applause)—
and as long as he was able, he intended to stick to
it. If his example had been of any use in any way,
he hoped it would stimulate the young members.
Ile hoped to be with them for many years, and
alluded to a proposed rifle competition between that
corps and the Wareham corps, to take place at
Wareham on Monday, when he felt satisfied that
they should meet their opponents as friends, and
whether they carried away the palm or not, they
should continue to be friends. He concluded by
proposing "The health of the Vioe-Chairman,
Sergeant-Major Newman." He looked upon him as
the main-spring of the corps, and if they wanted
anything done, either at drill or in shooting, they
had only to touch their main-spring and it was done
—flood applause).
Drank with three times this*.

Sergeant-Major N music was received with re.
itterated applause. He regretted that he had not
been able to attend to his duties during the year so
well as be could have wished, particularly at the
camp, from sickness, but what be had dope he had
done cheerfully, and Sergeant Cross bad kindly done
his duty for him. They bad now been in existente
seven years, and be hoped that they would AM con-
tinue for many seven years to come in as efficient
• state as they were that day—(applause).
Various other toasts followed, including "The
Sergeants," coupled with the name. of Col. Sergeant
Gregory and Sergeant Burden •' "Th. Corporals,"
coupled with the name of Corporal J. R. Taylor, the
host of the evening, and the "bard" of the corps,
whose excellent arrangements for the comfort of the
assembly was the subject of warm commendation;
"The Visitors," responded to by Mr. Barrett, of
London; "The Press," &a, Itc.
Previous to leaving the chair, which afterwards
was taken by Sergt.•Major Newman, the CAPTAIN
observed that the corps was now about to go
into winter quarters, and there would be choral'
parade on the following Sunday fortnight He re-
minded them of an order from the Waroffitie requir-
ing every man to send in his rifle which he hoped
would be attended to by the members as soon as
convenient. He then said that it was not long that
they bad given up the practice of "marching out"
every weak; but last winter passed away without
their going out even once. He trusted, however,
that this winter it would be different; but he must
make this bargain in the matter—he would not
march out with ten file or anything of that
sort. If they choose and desired to have an
evening's march, as they used to do, he should he
most happy to accompany them, provided they
woalp get a muster. He should be sorry to dis-
appoint them who wished to go, and who came to
parade for the purpose; but he told them at once
if he came said found eight or to. files be should go
home again—(bear). If they had • mind to have a
pleasant evening out as they used to do, they had
only to communicate with one another, and let him
know of it, and when it was • bright moonlight
evening they would go—(obeers).
The intervals between the toasts were enlivened
by some excellent songs by Mem. J. R. Taylor,
Andrews, Jameson, Holland, Darden, Robereon,
Madord, Ling, Code, Barrett, &a.

WEYMOUTH DRAINAGE.
One of the most tumultuous and demonstrative inset,
bits ever held in Weymouth took pia°e at the Town.
hall on Friday last, at noon. It was con.ened by the
Mayor for the purpose of taking into consideration the
report of Mr. Hawksley as to the drainage, and the
interest manifested in the question we, indioaed by the
fact that as soon.. the doors were opened • rush to the
ball was made, and in • few minutes it was completely
crowded with ratepayer. (for measures were adopted to
prevent others entenog). As Mr. Councillor Pothee•ry,
who seems to have acquired the title of "The Peoples'
Friend" in this matter, walked up to the platform, he
was lusti y cheered, when he inquired what all that teat
for, and one answered, 'W. are glad to Nee you there."
Mr. ROLLS said he should very mush like to are Mr.
Pott.ecary in the chair—(iipplanee)—hut he would not
make a motion to that effect, as the Il.yor was present.
Mr. POTH.CAIIT thanked Mr. Rolls for the honour he
attempted to thrust upon him, and proposed that
the Mayor take the chair.
Mr. Roue: I was only giving you the preferenoe
of the two.
_

The MAYOR (J. Ayling, Req.), having taken his seat,
Amused his gratification at seeing en large an eseembly
of ratepayers, and bespoke for all who might address
thetn a fair end patient hearing. The question as to
the drainage was for their decision, but he asked them
to consider Its. a matter deeply concerning the future
prosperity of the town. Re was decidedly of opinion
that nothing would lend to promote the welfare of
the town so much as the introduction of drainage—(ln.
{emotion, and cries of "No, no." "Drain your belly,"
and "It would drain our pocketa")— lie did not believe
It would drain their pockets so much as they expected.
He dare my that most of them around him had seen
Mr. Flawkaley's report, which he believed was very
generally disseminated in the tows (Voice* : "I have
not seen it," "Nor I," "Nor and interrup-
tMo). That report told them they could drain the town
for £16,000, and if it could be done for that sum he
did really think that it was worth their notice—(bisess).
Mr. POTNECART thought it a glorious thing to bring
together thaw, one was accustomed to hear grumble
shout the Town Cooneil not doing their duty, to do
theirs—(applauw). Lot. had been done in that waled
spot (the Council chamber) in by gone days. but in a
matter of such vital importance, to the owners of
property and ratepayers in the borough, every considera-
tion and publicity ought to he given to it. Going back
to Mr. Bury's plan of drainage; his ilnit ides was to
make drains at a great depth, but John Potheeary knew
the flatness of Weymouth, and "what was what," and if
Mr. Bury's plans had been adopted, Weymouth would
have been irretrievably nsised—Poad applattw). They
certainly lived in an enviable spot—a watering-plaos that
stood & I in the United Kingdom -(applause). But
&Man dilated, and Interest bad its sway, whether for
Ramage* Maria* Bournemouth, or other plasm.