The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-19 00:00:00

THE CADETS AT THE ROYAL MILITARY

ACADEMY, WOOLWICH.

The half-yearly examination and distribution of
prizes to the cadets of the Royal Military Academy, Wool-
wich, '<ilk place yesterday. The proosishop are usually
conducted by the Duke of Cambridge, who last week sig-
nified his intention of being present, but In consequence of
the lamented decease of the Prince Consort his Royal High-
ness deputed Lieut.-General W. T. Really', Vioe-Prssideat
of the Council of Military Education, to act on his behalf.
The cadets, to the number of 256, having gone through •
series of evolutions, at half-past 12 o'clock proceeded to the
painted hall, where the report was read, pnor to the distri-
bution of prizes. A correspondence was also read between
the Council for India, the General Conimandieg-inatief,
km., relative to the Pollock prize of • gold medal, hereto-
fore awarded at Addiscombe to the cadet at thst college who
had risen highest in merit sod maintained good sad mural
conduct. This prise was now awarded to Mr. C. Beau-
champ. Three additional prizes were also awarded to Mr.
Beauchamp for surveying, chemistry, and fortificatimi.
The regulation sword for exemplary conduct whilst at the
institution was received by Mr. Villitamee. The other
prises having bees deliver 4
Lieut.-General ENOLLTB addressed the cadets at some
length, referring in severe terms in the course of his re-
minks to the late riotoua proceedings at that institution.
He was commanded by the Duke of Cambridge to say that
the competitive plan would be continued. It was • system
adopted by the government of the country, which decided
on the amalgamation of Adduicombe with Woolwich, and
all should have equal advantages. Having referred to the
minor grievances, he said the new organisation had effected
eouiderable change, and the governor was ready with, and had
in fact proposed some alteration in the regulations ; but he
could not be expected to enter fully into the details until
the result of the amalgamation between the two services
had time to settle down, and it was really amertained what
was requisite.
The cadets thee marched from the hall, and proceeded to
their respective homes for the Christmas vacation.

PRECEDENCE or VOLUNTEER OrrICER/L—Vo-
lanteer officers, according to their commissions, are oct to
take rank in the army, except during the time they are
called out into actual service. Ily the lffith section of the
44 Geo. 111., cap. 54 (Volunteer Act), volunteer officers
take rank with officers of the regular end militia forces as
the juniors of their rank. Whereas section 12, page 4, of
the Queen's regulations states that field officers of the
regular marine and militia forinis take rank above all
officers of yeomanry and volunteer corps. The following
communication has been received from the War-office by
Lieut... Col. Haworth :—" Sir.-1 am directed by Secretary
Sir George Lewis to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 9th inst., and, in reply, to explain to you that sec.
26, act 44 Geo. 111., cap. 51, is still in force,
_and that sec.
12, page 4, of the Queen's regulations is based upon a
misapprehension of the act 46 Geo. 111., cap. IZ, which
only applies to officers who received their commission, from
King George !IL —I have the Ir mour to be, sir, your obedient
servant, N. Allinnix). —The officers commanding Ist bri.
gale of the Fast Riding of Yorkshire Artillery Volunteers,
Scarborough."—Eastern Comeau' Herald.

The Outline (the clerical journal of Malta)
makes the following announcement:—" Yesterday Mr.
William Peel, an English gentleman long resident in this
island, abjured proteetantistn oa Lis deathbed, in the
village of Nexsro, and having received the sacraments,
expired 'timing our Lord, and in the bosom of the catholic
church, to the immense joy of his family and of all the
population of the village."
_ _

Thu Malta Times of the 10th says :—" Another
wart-martial was held yesterthy on board the Hibernia,
to try Commander G. B. Nicholas, on charges of cruelty in
excessive punishment of two boys of the crew for breaking
their leave at Gibraltar, and repeating the punishment for
the Berne offence. He was found guilty end sentenced to
be dismissed from the service with disgrace."

The Camper's Museum, purejuuseil by the Em-
peror Napoleon from the Papal government, has been de-
posited in the Falaia de l'lndustrie, where the public are to
be admitted to 'alit after the let of January.

Dr. Sehonberger, the first Jew ever permitted to
exercise the profession of an advocate in Hungary, was
sworn ie at Beth on the 11th inst.

ROYAL ACADEMY or MUSIC.—The second com-
petition for the " Potter Exhibltims" took place at the
institution on Monday last. The following professors com-
posed the beard of examisen :—Mr. Charles Lucas (chair-
man), Mr. G. Maefarren, Mons. Saintoe, Mr. Hoary Wa-
nts, Mr. F. R. Cox, Mr. Halter Macfarns, and Mr. F. B.
Jewicio. atz young gentlemen, all students (not lens than
two years) at the academy, were examined. The candidate
elected was Mr. G. R. Thomas. The following candidates
were specially commended for the talent evinced by them
at their examination :—Messrs. A. Williams and FL Weaken.
THE GREAT EANTERN.—The repairs rendered
requisite to the Great Easters, at Milford Haven, are pro-
greesiog satisfactorily. The iaterior fittings, furniture, Sic.,
demolished during the peat storm, have already been re-
placed, and the various saloons and berths re-arranged and
put in artier. Her paddle-wheels, redder head, and sailing
gear arealso being replaced, and it is expected that the
great vessel will be ready to go to sea again by February.
She will shortly be put upon the gridiron, for the purpose of
dually fixingberpaddle-wheals and fitting her new stern-post.
It is understood that the original calculation as to the total
cosset militia( her, made at the late meeting of the proprie.
toes, will not be exceeded. It is not yet determined ea
what service she will be engaged.
GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY Cr CANADA.—Yeeter-
day, a special meeting of the bondholders and shareholders
of this company was to have been held at the Loadoa
Tavern, to consider and take action upon the report of the
state aid prospects of the under Liking, drawn up for them
by Mr. Watkia, but wee, in consequence of the death of the
Prince Consort, postponed until the 24th inst.