The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-10-06 00:00:00

ANNUAL PBIZ METINO AND DINNER
OF THE BLANDFORD VOLUNTEERS.
. . . .

The ninth annual sompetition for prises by the
members of this corps took place on Tuesday sod Wed-
nesday. In consecinenee of the unpropitious state of
the weather, the shooting was below the average at these
meetings. During • part of the first day it was with
the greatest difficulty the marksaien could take aim at
aIL The names of the successful competitors will be
found below. .

On Wednesday evening nearly the whole of the Bland.
ford corps, and several members of tie Blandford troop
of the Q.O.R.Y.C. sat down to a first class dinner at
the Crown hotel, to which they were invited by the
captain and offieers of the Bth D.R.V. About 99 were
present The Muir was taken by Captain Hashes.
supported by Qoarternauter.Serrant Tett (Y.C.),
Sergeant Robert Pukes (Y.C.), Lient Jokes, Bth
D.R.V. Amistant•Sargeon Spooner, Mr. W. Daniell, ,
surgeon, (Y.C.), Mr. W. Groveseiergeant-Major Abbott,
Mr. T. U. Park, Mr. W. Quirk, La, La The vice-
chsirs weer, ab'y filled by Mr. Fi. Blandfoed, (Y.C.), and
Colour-Sergeant illeaden, Bth DOILY.
After dinner the CHAIRKAN prOpeeei "The Queen
and Royal Family," followed by "The Army and
Navy." "The Bishop and Clergy," in the unavoidable
abeenee of the chaplain of the corps (the Rev. J. R..
Quirk) was coupled with the name of his son.
Private QUIRK reepondeL
Lieutenant JOHNS proposed the healtha of thou.,
gentlemen who w, re their grunts that evening —(much
cheering) and he weeld have added with it the name of
Captain Harnbro. but he was not only their chairman,
but also their captain, as well as captain of the yeomanry.
With respect to their friends, the yeomanry, he was
always very glad to meet them at their prise meetings,
and at their annual dinner, and he trusted that year by
year they would join with them, as such a union pro.
muted a good feeling between the two branches of the
volunteer force. They bed also to thank them for the
prizes they had kindly offered for oompetit on this year—
(hear, bear). With the Vest he would add the name of
QuaAer•Master Tett —(a pplanse).
Mr. Titre returned thanks. kle was sure he expreared
the feeling, of the Blandlord troop when be said that
It gave them always great pleasure to meet the Bth
Dorset at their annual shooting for prized, and many
more would have been present had it not been for the
weather and the long distance they had to come. He
was very much obliged to them for the hearty way in
which they had received the name of Captain Hambro,
and whether they regarded him as the captein of the
yeomanry or as captain of the rides, of this he felt sure,
they would all agree he was "the rightman in the right
place." He, however, moot claim the right of priority
to Captain flambee, as their captain—(eries of "
No."). As he was captain of the yeomanry before he
waa captain of the volunteers, so that be is our captain
No. 1 and your captain No. 2—(laughter). He tented
the day was far distant when the Bth Dorset would be
less efficient than now, or have a worse captain and he
had now the pleasure of propuirs' the health of Captain
Hambro. (The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm).
In responding Captain LiAXIIIIO said it was very
diMealt for him to do jastie to the warm-herted and
I 'kindly feeling the company had shown to him, or to nod
language In which to express hie feelings. It wet
always with very great pleasure he took the chair on
such ormoions, and it was his wish oftener to meet with
them. From the time he first knew them, he had never
received any annoyance from any one of the corps—
(cheers)—and he hoped that in maintaing the discipline
of the seeps he bad never given offence to any one in it
He regretted that he had not been able, through being
away from home, to attend their drills as often as he
coal wish, and trusted to have during the next season
more opportunities of being with them—(applsuse).
The prizes were then dmtributod. On presenting the
D'Oyly cup to Sergeant Wareham, the CHAIRMAN said
he considered it the prize of the year, and they were
greatl" indebted to Major D'Oyly for his kindneu
Sergeant W•RIHAM said he sincerely thanked Captain
D'Oyly and be trusted he would live many years to
present such • token of his goodwill to Bth Dorset
corps.
Lieutenant JOHMH stated that he had received a
letter from Sir John D'Oyly expressing his regret at not
being able to present at the shooting this year.
On the prize woo by Sergeant Darla being presented
to him, he said he should like them to have a challenge
trophy to be shot for, and he proposed that a SUM
should be rained for any cup. His proposition was
chiefily with the view of encouraging the young blood
among them, some having given every promise of
h•eimning good shots. During the put season they
had lost one match with • corps which they had here-
tofore always beaten, and though there wee not another
cot pain the battalion he would sooner have lost a match
with, for they were all capital fellows, yet he believed
they would not have lost that if there had been more
practice at the target during the first put of the year.
He should therefore feel great pleasure la heeding beck
the money he had taken tle a prize, as hie contribution
towards a cup.
Captain IIaKDRO said he heartily agreed with what
Sergeant Davis had said, and believing it would be of
considerable advantage to the corps, if such a prise was
offered. be begged to have the honour of presenting it
(loud end long untinued cheering).
Sergeant Dave : I shall not go back from my offer,
and u the captain has offered the firit oup I would
suggest to have a mond prize cap—(hear, beer)—
towards which I beg to offer the money prize I have
received. This proposition was warmly taken up, so
that next year two additional cups will be shot for:
Sergeant WARZH•II called the attention of the corps
and especially of the recruits to the importance of
attending position drill, and suggested that during the
winter meetly,. opportunities for such drill should be
given in the Corn Exchange, at the same time strongly
urging upon his cemermiens to attend.
The CHAIRMAN folly endoreed the sergeants remarks,
and whilst acknowledging that it was somewhat
fatiguing said it was absolutely necessary. He knew
that the Bth Dorset bad been on the whole good shots,
but he would like them to be az good, if not the best in
the kingdom—(cheers).
The following is a list of the prim awarded
The D'Oyly cap. Sergeant Wareham ; 2nd prise,
handsome electro-plated cop, given by Mr. Croup,
Sergeant Green; third prize, given byl Mr. Wyatt,
Corporal Croom.
Money prizes given by odious and others, let, £4,
Corporal Ride:rut; 2nd, LI, Private Grove,; 3rd, £2,
Bugler Hunt; 4th, LI, Private Kent; sth, 15e.,
Arrnourer King; 6th, 12s. 64., Privet* Senate; 7th,
10a, Corporal Payne.
Money prises given by the inhabitants of Blandford
and neighlieurbood—let, £5, Private Sprat; 2nd, £4,
Private Grove.; 3rd. £3, Private Roe ; 4th, £2, Private
Quirk ; sth, El, Private Light; 6th, 155., Private R.
/lidera ; 7th, 12a 6d., Lieut. Johns • Bth, 10a, Bengt.
IleAdan ; 9th, 10s., Private James Dnrsien.
Mrs. Hombre's prize for highest score at 600 yards,
electro-plat• duet jug and two cups, Private .1.
Ridout.

Prise of 94 given by the Yeomanry for highest:mores
at 200 and 600 yards, Private Shipp.
Consolation prize, for the unruccessful competitors,
Ist, pair of table spoons, given by Ih. B. Eyers,
Private Burden; 2nt4, mustard pot, given by Mr. C.
Byers, Privet* Hatherley • 3rd, spirit flask, given by
Armorer King, Drill-Instructor Sergeant Pitspatiriek ;
4th, 6th, sad 6th prism given by Mr. Handl:oak, cigar
case, Private L. Ashford ; clasp knife, ,Private Gulliver;
cigar ease. Private H. Wareham.
pmes shot for by the yeomanry with carbines, at
100 and 200 yards, let prise, £3, Private W. Rogers ;
Sod, LI, Private H. Blendford • 3rd, El, Private
Brown Gifford; 4th, 15e., Prints T. Bellamy; sth,
Private T. Rickman.
After the prisee had all been awarded, the CHAIRMAN
proposed the health of the donors of prises in the town
and neighbourhood of Blandford - (cheers); whilst they
acknowledged their kindness. There were two gentle-
men present to whom their thanks were especially dos,
for the grat trouble they bad taken In eollecting
irubscriptions--14. Park and Mr. Wellington Groves—
(loud applause).

Mr. nag, in acknowledging the toast, maid It gave
him slyest deal of pleasure in attending that evening,
and In doing all he weld towards promoting the samosa
of the volunteer movement. He considered it was the
duty of every man to farther tbe noble cause In which
they were engaged, and be also thought It was the duty
of those who were not able to join the ranks of the
volunteer force, to do all they mild by s liberal support,
to encourage those who were volunteers, for be was
confident that had it not been for the volunteer foroe
being established, we must have had a lugs increase to
our army. Look at Primes, look at Prussia, bow they
have increased their &ratio and added to their military
strength, and we have a little hive so well stored with
treasure that If we do not well protect it others will
seek to rob us of it. Wears then nght in doingall verso
to protect our property, our wives, our sweatband% and
our eloldrao—iioud applause). He (Mr. Pork) also
looked upon the volunteer lone as an assallent MO 40

bring the young men under • good system of dinciplioe.
They were scihjected to a course of training whieis ID
after-life would prove of great advantage to than ;
if it should ever please God at any time that they *hoe
be called upon to repel an enemy, they would have the
satisfaction of knowing that earnest prayers wire being
offered on their behalf, and if they fell to the geld of
battle, they would have the satisfaction of knowing that
na it was not from any iecroenery motives they took up
arms, they were dying in the defence of their country,
and from • solemn sense that it was their duty to do so.
For hioiself he should always be most happy to do any-
thing that he could for so noble, irs parr:Mo. and so
exultant le ciattee—(epplauw).
' Mr. W. GeoVnis cordially seconded all that Mr. Perk
bed said, and stated that throughout the town their
solicitation for subeariotions was most liberally res-
ponded to, so that in Iffendford and the neighbourhood,
the sum of 1.34 4a. U., had been contributed for the
prise shooting, braider several special prises offered by
other friends. He would (On hope that the efficieney
and vigour of the company would be kept up, and their
numbers increase year by year, and he certainly
thought that that meeting gave every Prooli" that It
would--(cheers).
The Outman then gave "The health of Colonel
Muriel," who be stated would have been present at the
shooting bad he not had an engagement at Criolsel.
They all knew the seal, endurance, and urnestnees of
their excellent Colonel in the discharge of hie &iliac
Hie reputation as a commander was not conferred to
this county. hut extended throughout England, and he
(Mr. Mambo) was sore they would receive th• toast
with all that enthusiasm it deaerved, and he considered
the Dorset battalion wee extremely (organist* to have,
by God's blessing such • colonel. He might add that he
would have been present had he not had friends at his
house. Toe gallant colonel's hsalth was drunk with
musical honours, led by Kr. H. Blendford.
"The health of the Medical Officers" vu then pro-
posed by the CHAIRMAN, who exureseed his opinion that
their servioes were not an much appreciated as they
ought to be. Ile trusted thrt it would be along time
before those servioes, which es surgeons they were ready
to give, would be required by any of the Corp., and
coupled with the tout the name of Assistant-Surgeon
Spoouer—(chsers).
Mr. SPOON'S suitably responded, expressing hie
readiness at all times to give his assistance when
required.
The Merry Corporal, familiarly known by the sobriquet
of The Adjutant," asked the captain if he might say a
few words, nod when all were in expectation of hearing
• tout, or some suggestion, cried out "same one has
taken my basen," an announcement which provoked
eonsiderrible merriment.
. .

---...—. --
The CBAI/111•111 said he bad another toast to propose
ant it wan one he should entirely leave In their hands.
It was the health of ',tent. Johns—(l.lW and long con-
tinued cheering). Captain Hambro I thought I seed
not say much, I see you think of him u I do.
Mr. Joitits's health having been drunk with Diastolel
honours, ant the cheering subsided, be roes and mid
that he heartily thanked the Chairmen for proposing
his health, and the enthusiastic manner they had received
it. He bad always said that the Bth Dorset were •
noirey lot and certainly they bad not lost that character
then. He eartzinly felt greet pleasure in responding
because he wu sure they meant what they expreued--
(" Yes, Yes.") It had always given him sincere pleasure
to forward the interests of the Bth Dorset, and wes one
of the first tai enrol his name as • volunteer, in Staudt ord.
When they did him the honour of asking him to be
their captain, an honour which he declined and waggled
that be did so, as they immured the aervioes of one far
better qualified. There ',Mooe or two things be wished
teeny a few words to them upon. He would like to have
• little more attention to drill during the winter months,
especially the recruits, thee they would be able to eau•
menu the spring without any drawback, but whilst he
said that he considerei that the Bth did not stand last
in this respect in the county. The review at Wimborne,
which was a most successful one, showed that they were
not behind, as also that at Portsmouth. Indeed, the
volunteer force there set an example to the regulars, for
the Duke of Cambritge had given order, that the
regular troops to be reviewed the next day should march
from Portedown to Portsmouth and back—• march Dever
performed on a review day before—(hear, hear). They
might always ootentatid his serrices, and he should be
Øs4 to carrot any errors which might be pointed out to
laini—(oheers).
Sergeant Yocum Q.O.D Y.('. ,Pn proposing "t be health
of Yrs. Hambro," alluded to hergrcatkindoeu in giving
prize yearly for competition by the Bth Dor.et, and
bore his testimony to that lady's benevolence both in the
village where she resided, and other plues—thbeers).
. . .

The CHAIRMAN thanked Mr. Fookes and the oompany
for the kind way they had reoeived the toast, and said
he was sore Mrs. llambro would be very pleased. In
the stiocess of the Bth Dorset, and indeed in all that he
took an interest in, she heartily sympathised, and those
present who were married man, most well know the
value of the ladies, and what a blessing they were to
men—(spplausel.
The next toast was' the health of Sareeant•Major
Abbott," in proposing which the CHAIRMAN said that in a
very great inessura the efficiency of the battalion was
des to one individual their Sergeant llaior —who it
would almost seem. was born a soldier. At any rate
he had ever shown himself to be stood one, and he (Mr.
['amino) did not behove a better cold be bond
nected with the volunteer force in England7(cheeirs).

The SCILTLANT MAJOR, in reply, said that rine* he
had been connected with the volunteers, he had always
endeavoured to do his duty, and he hoped that in doing
it be had never willingly edashed with any man of the
crompany. He thought he might express • hope that his
.ervices were appreciated, as Colonel Mantel had stated
be was perfectly satislied with his staff, which was the
bighett compliment that could be paid them. Mr.
Abbott then proposed the health of the Yeomanry
Cavalry, *ith the name of Mr. Williamson Daniell—
(applause).
Mr. DANIILL, after expressing Ills thanks, said that
probably some of thew present might be aware that be
wee ON et the lime to pro.note the formation of the
company, not only by eollectleg subscriptions, but *lse
getting recruits, and ttm only reason why be deelined
the offer of being battalion surgeon was because be
found if he took that commission, he must give up that
wh eh he then held in connection with the yeomanry,
and.. be thought he was a better hand at riding than
walking, he kept his old oommiesion.
'The health of Gerard Start, E.g., M.P.," was pro-
posed by Mr. Tree as • good and liberal friend to the
volunteers, and was warmly responded to.
Sergeant WAREHAM proposed "Tt.e health of their
Ensign—Ur. Castleman," and expressed bis regret that
they did not see him oftener. He thought that when
loathed captain nor lieutenant could attend, the ensign
might endeavour to be present, as the presence of an
officer gave enttouragement to the men—(hear' hear).
Mr. JOHNS said he felt it his duty to say that Mr.
Cutletnan w.mld have been present with them that
evening bad it not been for a prior engagement.
"The health, of Colour-Sergeant Meadow and
Sergeants Wareham, Davis. Green, and Groves," was
then given and heartily received. The three former
and Drill-Instructor Fitzpatrick returned thanks.
"The health of Corporal ('room "u secretary to the
corps, was propoged by &Junket Wsiten•W, who also
remarked that not only did Mr. Croom give valuable
assistant's in keeping the books and issuing notices, but
that be added greatly to their amasement. (Mr.
ABBOTT : And be always games to drill).
. . . .

In returning his thisoks, Corporal Cgoox sawed con-
siderable merriment by humottrously commenting on
the conduct of some of the corps, being ever ready to be
present, whenever any "gruboeite was going on on tbe
cheap, and at the sante time being backward in coming
forward to drill. .

"The health of the band, coupled with the name of
Mr. Eyers the bend•master" was then proposed by the
CHAIRMAN, who remarked on the value whish a bend
was to a regiment in battle, by inspiriting the men to
fresh exertion. The Blandford corps were favoured in
haring so eseellent a band, and their thanks were
justly due to Mr. Eyers, not only for providing good
music, but also so excellent a dinner. He hoped they
would never be under a worm) place than the Crown
hotel—{loud cheers).
In responding, Mr. ETIRS thanked the &airman for
his expressions of goodwill to hint, and stated that it
would ever be his anxious desire to do all he wad to
give satisfaction. With regard to the band they were
always ready to be present when they were put on the
orders, and he certainly regretted that they were not
POT on oftener. It would always be his own desire sod
be could speak with conlidence of the rest of the bend,
that they would agree with him, to do cilia their power
to further the interests of the corp., and with respect to
the observations wade by Sergeant Fitzpatrick, though
he was not able thoroughly to explain his meaning, yet
he (Mr. Evers) inis sure if they paid attention to him,
they would be seocind to no corps in the county.
Quartermaster•Sergesnt Tarr said he should be MORI
happy next year to add his sovereign, and perhaps two
if they bad a good harvest, towards the purchase of the
second cup, an announcement which was received with
loud cheering. _ _ _

The health of "The Ladies" was then given, Private
GEOVIIS suitably acknowledging It; and also "The
Press" proposed by Mr. EMU, and acknowledged by
our local representative—Mr. MILLARD. The ehairinan
then vacated the emir, and was heartily cheered on
retiring. but tha greater part of M. ontopmy remained
wens time after, under the agreeable presidency of
Corporal Croon, and a very harmonious and happy
evening was enjuyed by all present.