The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-10 00:00:00

VOLUNTZER OPPICERS.

It is toolerstood (says the Olscrrer) to be the
intention of the War Department to adopt soars positive test
of the efficiency of officers of volunteer rifle regiments, the
fact having become patent that there are a very large num-
ber of gentlemen who at the present time hold her Majesty's
commissions in volunteer corps who are by uo means quali-
fied for such poritions, and who, having obtained them, set
all their pledges to perfect themselves in drill, to attend a
course of musketry instruction at Hythe, &c., at defiance.
Whether it is intended to make it compulsory upon all ex-
isting cenitnission officers to carry out their engagements
has not transpired ; but it is stated that in all new appoint-
ments each captain at least shall be compelled to pro-
duce certificates of hie having gone through the necessary
• course of instruction required prior to the receipt of his
commission, cud this is to extend to every officer above that
grade. if snot to subalterns. Where there Are neglectful
officers there are neglectful privates, and unless some ener-
getic nieasures are adopted with the officers the movement
will be most seriously damaged. No stronger exemplifica-
tion of this fact need be afforded that the reeeet exhibition
on parade of the London Irish ; and praise is doe to the
officer (Captain M'Swiney) who was bold enough to ilia-
Wm the men, and expose the conduct of his brother
Wirers, en finding, out of a muster-roll of SOU, a paltry
muster of :20 rank and file upon the occasion of a march
oat with the baud. The exposure of that pio,ftel-
log W. at last put the Itautepant-oolowl. the Marquis
of Donegal, upon his mettle ; and where there are gryves
evidences of neglect and inatteution it is his detenoimitson
to call upon the officers at mum to resign their commissions,
or, if not, to report their minim to the War-ottiee. This is
a step in the right direetioe, and the example will no doubt
lie followed in other corp.. It is well kuowu that those
corps which have the moat attentive sod intelligent officers
have the Treatest numerical strength, and also exhibit the
largest amount of efficiency ; and should that movement on
the part of the War Department lip carried out with energy,
there can he no doubt but that 'lt will result in the must
lemetagal results to the volastows generally.

At the annual meeting of the Southampton
Sailors' Houle last week a report was read, in which it was
stated ths: since the opening of the home on the 9th of
August last. 1,043 bola had been occupied, and 940 break-
fasts, 913 chimera tr 29 teas, and 99t4 suppers bad been eon-
fumed. The expenses of the Lome up to the present time
amounted to about 6341. Auneniert, • library, reading.
room, and religious instruction are provided for the sailors.
The crew of the ship Harvey Birch, which was burot in the
Channel by the Confederate war steamer Nashville, were
lodged and fed at the home.
OrrietAL Arrolyniewrit.—Mr. Robert H. Hurst,
of the home circuit. has been appointed te the recordership
of Hastings midi:Jr.—Hr. Thomas Pyontift, chief secretary
to the goiei nmeut of 31adnui, has been appointed provisional
n.ember of council at Nadres.—Mr. Jonathan Duncan In.
veracity coutrniseioner in Schuh, has been appointed
ro pvisioLl member of council at Bombay.—Lieutenant
Colonel Henry Wylie Norman, C. 8., has hese appointed
military secretary to the government of India, in the place
of Sir Richard Birch, who rotinus. -A Snit distribution of
the Lucki.nw prize money has boom ordered to Le made in
India, at the rate of 17 ropes. each share.--Fslward flarnett
Anderson TIMOT. Esq., has bees appointed police magiatrat•
for New Providence, one of the Bahama Islanda.7olsierver.

Tait Yawattoa Mematece eesr..—Evidence in
Debella' this panwor, Mew Yelverton, wr main taken in
the High lisirt of Justiciary, Edinburgh, on Friday. A
number of witnesses were examined with a view to sbow
the irerectability of the lady end the propriety of her con-
duct bef.re her warriage Ina Major Yelverton. The pro-
wading, were apse adjonniedL