The Express.
London, England, 1859-07-07 00:00:00

RIFLE CORPS.

Earl Grosvenor presided yesterday evening at
a seating kaki in Bt. Mithasra Schoolroom, Hugh-
street, Firdko, for the purpose of promoting th
formation of a rifle corps for the Eccleston•egtare district
There was • very full attendance, including many of the
iacipal lithabitints of the district, and sevens' e'er-
gymen._

The SECRETART real letters from Lord =oho. Lord
Chelmaked, Mr. Kekewich, M.P., Mr. Her &yam,
M.P., Rev. Mr. Hamilton, the incumbent of St. Michaera,
and Laid C. Hsu:4ton, ayologlatog for non-attendance ; and,
with the exteptiou As Rev. Mr. Hamilton, who thwaght
he could be mote useful in other ways, tendering their aid as
members of the committee. . . .

111 r. Brivii4sreWiiePort from the provisional commit-
tee, the only important &dares of which were an estimate
that the complete outfit would coat 71 9s. 6d., and recom-
mending that the entrance fee should be 10s. 6d., sod the
annual subscription should be 21a. They also suggested a
portion of Eaverees-park or part of the ground/ of Chelsea
Hospital as the
_practice ground.
The Rev. J. HURIMALL moved a resolution declaring the
desirability of establishing a voluntrer rifle corps for the
Pimlico district—pledging the meeting to tekestepe for the
formation of each a corps, end naming it the (Jason's First
Hate Corps. He considered the movement important in the
tense of peace. The only way of securing this country from
I invasion was to show to Europe that ft was utterly =pos-
sible that invasion could succeed. He believed the Emperor
of the French wee inclined kindly towards this country,
and he bad heard that be himself had suggested that our
population should be armed in order that he might be able to
curb any hostile feelings his people might entertain against
this country by pointing out how imposaible would be success
in en aggressive war, carried on against a nation of rifle-
men. . . _

Mr. T. CUNDT, jai., seconded the resolution.
Mr. L. RANDALL moved on ern/adore:it to the effect that
the military and navel estimates proposed by the government
I ware amply sufficient to provide for the defence of tto coun-
try, and thet therefore the formation of a volunteer rifle
corps for the district of Pimlico wan unnecessary. He pro-
ceeded to enforce hie views, but the fteling of the melting
arm obvionoly again.t him, and he found ems difficulty in
obtaining a hearing.
Mr. C. EVANS, the barrister, spoke In favour of the
movement. . . .

The amendment having been seconded, was put std nega-
tived by a large majority, and the original resolution w, s
carried all but tusestialy
Mr. OGLE proposed a list of gentlemen to form the com-
mittee, which Included the names of the chairman, lied
Chelmsford, Lerd Rburv, Lord Elebo, Lord Everaley, Mr.
Byng, M.P., Mr. R. Hanbory, M.P., Lord A. Paget, Mr.
C. Grenfell, M.P., Mr. Olin, M.P., Rev. H. Walker,
Lieutenant• General Shand, and several others of the prin.
inhabitants of the Matrict.
Mr. LAAMMT seconded the list. . . .

Mr. C. EvANs suggested that the committee should be
formed on the widest posaibb basis, end should represent all
dames who were asked to 00-opeeste ; and also urged that
the bead of the corps should ke a man of military experience
cittaldled to command.
The CHAIRMAN expressed Ms concurrence with Mr.
Wrens's views. and remarked that the ultimate aretingements
would rest with the committee, who bad power to add to
their number.

In 7epty to another question,
The NOBLE LOUD added that the officers world be named
by the committee, bat the tomes would have to be submitted
to the lord-lieutenant.
The resolution was carried.
The Rev. H. WALKER proposed that Earl Ortsvrnor
should be the colonel of the ciros.
Mr. STEVENS seconded the motion.
Mr. Evans expressed his regret that such a proposal bad
been made, and moved the previous question. They ought
not to appoint their colonel until they were formed, and then
they ought to be commanded by en Olen who had teen
military service.
After some conversation,
The CHAIRMAN requested that the resolution might not
be pit., and that the subject should be postponed for future
consideration.
A resolution sanctioning the opening of a subscription and
donation list towards defraying the expeose, and .costing
those members who were not in dreams-maces to meet the
expenaea themselves, was moved by the Rev. I. F. Fut--
WAINER, the curate of the parish, seconded by Mr. WATTLE.
ARD, and carried.
Honorary secretaries, s treasurer (Lord Ebury), and other
odious were appointed, and, after a vote of thanks to the
chat:min, the meeting broke up.