The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-05-12 00:00:00

BANQUET TO THE pins DORSET RIFLE

voLIINTF.EREL

On Friday aftwacos last, at four o'clock, the 6th
Dorset Ride Volunteer, theembled at the King's
Statue, for the purpose of attending the banquet given
to the corps by their gallant and respected tangelo (J.
Thresher. Req.), at &dipole. About 60 of the oorw
suetered at the rendesvous, sad marebed, headed by
their band, towards the Doethester road, es mat for
the Captain's estate. Os activing at the villnge they
were met opposite the hattheetting hell by Mrs. Boldon
(the captain's seat), Mrs Thresher, the Bev. F. Fijer,
Adjutant Barrett, and the principal part of the villages.
After partaking of refreshment. they marched to the
large field adjoiniag the estate, wltleh composed, a
magnificent view of Weymouth, and were inspected by
Adjutant Barrett, who put them through • variety of
manovres, after which they again returned to the
village. At seven &cloth the members of the sorps
sad several of their friends repaired to the Itsnquetting
hall, which was profusely and tastefully decorated with
▪ evergreens and dowers, by Mr. Hendillia swished
by the eervants at the balL The walls bore the follow.
lag mottoes :—" SIMONS to the Mb D.R.V.," "The
Army and Navy for Ever," " England's Brave
Defenders," and' In Danger Ready.° The tablet were
loaded with vies& of every dtheriptima and the head
table was most teetotally arranged. The pliant
Captain presided, having on his right LiestAlolonel
Steward, Hon. Assistant Surgeon H. Tiord,
Henry
Devenish, Esq., and Groves, Beg., and on the lit
the Rev. F. Fisher, Adjutant Barrett, Lieutenant
Tigard (Mayor of Weymouth), Quartermaster-sergeant
Frampton, and Messrs. Hopkins, Blackmon, ha, Ac.
Immediately in front of the chair was platted a hand-
some (merges. sontatalng hothouse dowers, Glees to
whisk was a beautiful silver imp, presented by the
members of the corps on the gallant captelit's marriage
with his present wife in leak and on eitheartE
were richly chased eandelahrea On the cloth being
✓emoved,
The Chairman gave the usual loyal feasts, wltieb were
eathusiudinelly resolved, followed by" The Bishop and
Clergy of the Dtheisse," which was coupled with the
name of the Rev. F. Fisher. The Chairman, in his
remarks. regretted the unavoidable absence of their
esteemed Ghardaia, who was prevented attending
through ill health. With regard to the Bev. F. Flaw,
they all knew he was • stasooh supporter of the Wisp
mouth Volunteers, as that gentleman secompanied
their bettalioo to Portedowa Hill at the late review—
(bear, bear, and cheers.)
The Rae, F. Fisher, who wee received with cheers,
said It afforded hint the greatest pleasure to be among
them on the present occasion. Ile accompanied the
gallant espiaii'm aunt to observe their drill, sad be was
much gratified. They were ad.. body of men, and
their captain was deserving of all ruse for hi. eeeee
fours to promote the interest of the oorps by calling
them together at the festive board —(theers.) After
alluding to the late review and returning thanks for the
elergy of the diocese, the rev, gentleman resumed his
seat amidst iipplenso.
The Chairman then proposed 'The Army and Navy,"
and in coupling the toed with the names of Liest.•
Colonel Steward, and Quarter-Mader Sergeant Framp-
los, said be rued ezeredingly the themes of Colonel
Leal throe ill health. However he had the pleasure
of Imlreinit health of his right hand supporter,
the 'want Lieut-Colosel Steward, who had served hie
6lm• Pri°444:4111 tolt• finny. bed was thorough good
Nidbir-4 , ) 11.4 imilomm Imo M

Abyssinia he would have done his duty—(obeers.) In
speaking of the navy, bls friend Frampton bad served
his younger days in that Nervier., and he was now the
right haad man in looking after their into rests and
preparing their lasagna statement—(bear, bear.)
Liententat Colonel Steward, in responding, said he had
the good fortune to occupy the position of second in
command of the Battalion. He regretted the absence
of their esteemed and surellent colonel, although had be
been present he should not have had the pleasure of
rising to respond on behalf of the army, a body to whom
he wee proved to belong to—(cheers). He bad the
inmatest respect and love for Colonel Hansel, and when
they were at the review be remarked that their battalion
could vie with any of the metropolitan battalions with
regard to dreesand soldier like appearance.—(hear heir,
and cheers). Their battalion had nothing to be aelamed
of, and it was no Battery on his part when be stated
that very few other sorps (*aid equal them, end creedal,
none could then excell—(immense applause). With
regard to the camp, the gallant Colonel said they would
go into camp nest July for the fifth time. He &000m-
ponied Colonel Hamel to Swage a short time sines,
end they found that the place selected for the camp
commanded some exoellent scenery, and, being aloes to
the sea side, they could take their ablutioos within ten
yards of the came. He congratulated them upon their
drill. and eepecially upon their good muster that dry,
and he hoped for the credit of the sth D. K.V. they
would assemhie in good numbers at the camp. By
attending well to their drill they would make them-
'elver, Selene members of the battalion, and • credit to
Colonel Mansel—(cheers).
Quartermaster-Sergeant Frampton returned thanks
on behalf of the navy.
Adjutant Barrett, after alluding to the Volunteers
generally, said he hoped the Volunteers preeent would
attend to the remarks made by Lieut.-General Sir
George Buller in his official report to the Commander-
in-Chief, in which it states "that the instruction drill,
the practice of the simple deployments, the oblique and
direct echelon movements, the observance of strict
silence Suring movements, and the cessation of ere when
ordered are wanting, and not sufficiently considered,
and without them no volunteer force would be of much
avail if required to take its place in the field with regular
troops." Whilst they were going through their inspec-
tion and drill that afternoon, he andreased to them •
few similar words, and he booed they would pay par-
ticular attention to them. Ile was immensely pleased
when be saw them marsh part, and especially with
their soldier-like appearsocia. In alluding to the camp,
he said the volunteers of Weymouth were similarly
situated as the (aroma were during their harvest lime,
as the tamp took plus during the busy season of Wey-
mouth, bat, nevertheless, be hoped they would muster
stronger on that occasion than they hitherto had done—
(bear, hear, and "We will"). After a few other re-
marks the Adjutant renamed his seat amidst cheers.
. .

Liest..Colonel Steward, in rising to propose the next
toast, maid be was honoured with giving the toast of the
evening, sad he was eerie:au it would be received with
good hearty cheers from every volunteer present. In
propo.ing The health of the Captain of the 511
D.R.V."—(immenee obeeridg)—be was sure they were
all proud of hiving moth an officer as Captain Thresher,
who bad stuck to them heart sad soul Moos he had
joined them—(obeers). He had the pleasure of raising
the corps, and must reiterate the 'oedemata of his brother
officers that the captain was the right man to the right
place (vociferouscheering). It was through the captain's
exertions that the sth D.R.V. were kept up to their
present standard—(hear, hear, and cheer.). He thought,
however, that the populabon of Weymouth was
inadeqnately rope/meted is the corps, although he
knew there was • greater difficulty in keeping up •
corps there than there wart in • small country place.
The greatest praise was dne to the captain for the
progress the corps has nude late,y, and be hoped they
would be able to obtein, in addition to the six recruits,
some of whom were now present, ea additional number
to fill up the imps which bad been made during the Ina
few months—(hear, hear). He maw no reason why the
ocrPs at Weymouth should not equal and be superior to
any in the battalion —(cheers). In conclusion, in
posing health, he hope: that Captain Thresher might
long .t h
them.
The toast WU drank with three times three, and " one
more" for Mrs Balaton.
_ _ . . . .

-----
Captain Thresher, on rising to respond, was greeted
with tremendous cheers both inside end outside of the
banquetting hall, where the villagers were assembled.
On the cheers subsiding, he rail be scarcely knew how to
respond after the very dattesing remarks which had
fallen from his esteemed friend Lientemmt-Colonel
Steward, Hs thought the less be said the better—
(colors, "no, no.") He had been connected with the
present eorps for the led eight years, and from what be
had witnessed during the day he was certain that he had
gained their esteem—(bear, bear, and cheers). He bail
managed to get them together. On the retirement of
their lets captain, a deputation waited upon him, solicit-
ing him to take the captaincy of the corm At that
time he was very young, and, after muck persuadon,
he accepted the honour of being their captain. After
alluding to other matters in connection with the corns,
he said he was sorry be did not know of any
fresh recruits to fall upon, and without the assist-
ance of the members of the corps he should not
be able to get fresh blood into the ranks. He looked
upon them for their support, and to persuade their
friends to join the corps, no that they mtght be fit end
able when called upon to do their duty by their gallant
Colonel. —(eheers). Since he first joined them in 1860
but little change had occurred with the °ldeas, but he
hoped they would noon have an ensign. His friend
lieutenant Tissrd had always assisted him right and
left. That gentlemen wee constantly advising hint, and
it was through Lim thst the corps was kept on so gond
• brisk —(cheer-). In reviewing the last year's pro-
ceedings he WSs viry sorry in noticing a felling off in the
attendance of the members of the corps at their drill.
(A voice : "Perhaps they did not like their duty.") The
Captain: Then they ought not to belong to the corps.
With regard to hirnerlf he Sad lots of spare time, which
wits an Incase for oases who had not; yet he did not
like to see only twenty men present at their fortnightly
drill—(hear, hear). B 7 their neglect in not drilling, the
blame was laid upon him. At their lest camp meeting
his brother °diners, as well as himself, were thorough,
disgusted at the smell muster of their corp.,. He
certainly coincided with Captain Barrett when he
stnted that the meagre attendance was owing principally
to the buoy unison at Weymouth during the encamp-
ment. He hopel they would for the future muster
stronger, and as he had the majority of the volunteers
present, he would take that opportunity of asking them
whether they intended mustering at the forthcoming
encampment at Swurige. (The corps rose us steam
end raid they would all attend the Camp meeting). After
referring to the meeting at Abbey Milton, the gallant
Captain resumed his seat amidst enthusiastic cheering.
The Cheirmen, in elegant terms, propieed "the
health of (Joh Mused," whisk wu responded to by Capt.
Bennett. . . . . _

Adjutant Barrett thee proposed "the health of the
Ofilsers of the Corps." °poplins with it the name of
Lieut. Tiseri (the Mayor pf Weymouth).

Lieut. lizard responded in • very able speech of some
length. He thanked the captain and all present for the
marrow; manner in which they had received his health,
and expressed his sincere bope that be should Mill
continue to merit the kind regards of the corp. and the
citizens of Weymouth, during his tenure of office es
Mayor of that borough—(cheeni). In conoliaion he pro-
posed "the hegilth of H. Devenith, Eel.," making
mention of the interest he had manifested in the oorps,
and streaming a hope to re Kr. Devenish it the camp
meeting at Elesease--(uhecri).
Mr. Ogreish. in returning thanks, rid he was very
couch obliged to Limit. Tissrd for the high compliment
he had just paid him. and also to the °Moen, non-
commissioned officers, and privates of the sth D. R. V.,
for their goodwill towards ham. On their retain from
the Swanage encampment, he should only be too happy
to entertain them st his Mores —(oheert).
Lieut.-Colonel Rteward, in properties "The health of
the Leda.," said he mast &Linde to the near relative of
their gallant captain (Kra lialston)—(tremendoss
cheering). That lady he had bad the pleasure of knowing
for many years per ; she was a great supporter of the
volunteer movement, and especially to the Weymouth
oorps—(eheers). Her treks were of a noble esters, end
she wee over ready to lend • helping hand for •
ebtritehle purpose, while the poor of the 'arab had in
her a kind friend. He hoped Abe would be spared to
re many more such happy gatherings as the one her
Dephew was now presiding over—(loud sheering and
musical honours.)
Captain Thresher returned thanks on behalf of his
relative and Mrs. Thresher.._ . .

M. Deventsh proposed The health of the Non-
commissioned Officers and Members of the sth Dorset
Hite_ Volunteers."

ColourSergeartt Lee returned thanks for the non.
sommissioned officers.
Private Sams, on rising to respond on behalf of his
brother volunteers, in the course of his humourons
remarks, said as the mists of morning were dispelled by
the absorbing rays of the great luminary of the day' so
his remarks must pale after the manly eloquence of the
previous speakers ; still his endeavours would be to
speak proudly and exultantly of his brothers in
arms, whose ambition would be to rcelioe the high
eneorniums passed upon them by Ocilowel Steward—
(cheers). As Englishmen, it would be their duty
to emulate them brave sons of British soil whose
deeds of uoparclleled bravery bad earned for them
• wreath of laurels "which nobody soulddeny"—(okiems).
He alluded to the British troops in Abyssinia, who,
though but a handful of 11110. have nobly tuotoi"ed in.
reputation of England, who with one irresistible effort
have annihilated and crushed the Abyssinian monster
Theodore with his bowie of mirages, thus showing to
the world that the powerful arm of British authority
can redress any insult by punishing the guiltl--ichwir•
In oonelusion he said that as volunteers they felt
proud of the priviledge of being elassified as soldiers of
their Queen, whose throe* and honour they pledged
themselves to maintain to their death, their only
reward for which would be a proud coasoiousinees that
thee had done their duty—(obeeirs).
The remaining toasts were those of "The °Moen of
the staff," responded to by Dr. Meath, "The health of
Mews. Hopkins and Bliseltmora," and "The Press,"
which was responded to by our representative, Mr.
Chutes Marten. _ .

• NM AMY flip.
The command of the seeps was then headed over to
Tize,d, sod, after three hearty sheers from
tb• •illelll. they retuned, heeded by the bend (who
played excellently) into Weymouth, after 'pending one
of the happiest swage. 'Moe the formation of the
sorps.