The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-13 00:00:00

The Central Anti-Malt Tax Association.

A meeting of the council of this association was held at
the Bridge House Hotel last week, for the purpose of con-
sidering the best means of renewing with all possible acti-
vity the agitation for the removal of this most obnoxious
tax in the ensuing Parliamentary session.
Amongst those present were Messrs Punnett (West
Kent), Eley (East Kent), Hodsoll (West Kent), T. Arkely
(Gloucester), Hobbs Collett (Barks), Simpson (Yorkshire),
Marshall (Lincolnshire), Williams (Berks), W. Beadell and
F. Beadell (Suffolk), E. Gardner and J. S. Gardner
(Suffolk), Plumber (Wilts), Richardson (Lincolnshire),
Burdett (Derbyshire), Chapman (Midland Counties Asso-
ciation), Rowley (Yorkshire), Osborne (Leicestershire dis-
trict of the Midland Counties Association), Rev. J, Linton
(Huntingdonshire), Bacon (Sussex), Brandram (Herts),
Frampton (Berks), Hanley (Lincolnshire), Mr Kintrca,
(the Parliamentary agent).
After the routine business of reading the minutes and
passing the accounts for the last half year, which showed
only a small balance to the credit of the a,sociatioa, a long
discussion ensued as to the best practicable method of
opening the campaign for the session of 1865. The dele-
gates present from the various counties reported the strong
desire and determination of their constituents to prosecute
the object of the Central Association in the most energetic
manner, and it was resolved-1. To hold a public meet-
ing of the farmers of England, to be hell in the Free-
mason's Tavern in London, on a day immediately preceding
the re-assembling of Parliament. 2. To urge upon all
who have at heart the repeal of the malt duty the para-
mount necessity of having that meeting numerously and
influentially attended, so as to give weight and authority
to the movement both with Parliament and the country,
as well as with the Government. 3. To publish another
number of " Anti-Malt Tax Circulars" early in
January, for distribution amongst the various local
associations —Mr Osborne undertaking to purchase
1,000 copies for the Midland Counties Association, and
other delegates present agreeing to take the same number
as before. 4. To organise a large deputation to the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer immediately atter the meeting of
parliament. 5. To make the necessary arrangements for
bringing the question before Parliament prior to the budget,
so as to avoid any possible antagonism with rival claimants
for reduction of taxation. 6. To promote and encourage
the renewal of district public meetings in the various
counties, and to forward petitions to Parliament for signa.
ture.

The thanks of the meeting were given to the constituen-
cies of Berkshire, West Suffolk, and North Warwickshire,
for their conduct towards their members on this question,
which it is hoped and expected will be imitated in other
counties.

Mr Kintrea was again returned as a Parliamentary agent
for the next session.

The meeting was of a very enthusiestio and resolute
character,

We understand that since this meeting several gentlemen
have subscribed £lOO each towards raising a sufficient fund
for next year's campaign.

THE VOLUNTEERS.

NINETEENTH MIDDLESEX RIFLES.

The ceremony of presenting prizes to the successful com-
petitors in this corps took place last night in Westminster
Hall, in the presence of a large number of spectators.
Licut.-Col. Hughes, the commandant of the corps, pre-
sided, and there was also present Col. M'Murdo. Major
Oxley officiated, and Mrs Oxley delivered the prizes, which
were very numerous and valueble, to the different recipients.
Lieut.- Col. II UGHES, in opening the proceedings, referred
to the loss the corps had sustained on the retirement of
Lieut. Cul. Bathurst, Capt. Martineau, awl. Capt. Roebuck.
With reference to the last mentioned officer (whoee name
was received with rounds of enthusiasm), ho went on to say
in the 19th society distinctions had never weighed in the
choice of officers in comparison with real merit. '1 hey had
had many officers from a class from which officers were not
generally taken. It had been thought a mistake and would
not answer, but he could say that it had answered, and
admirably too, and that ne c nee- had ever more thoroughly
and conscicritiouely dune his work than Capt. Roebuck.
Three lieutenants and an ensign, finding the y had not time
to fulfil their duties as officers, had returned to the racks,
and had earned the 30s fur their corps—an example which
he (Col. Hughes) would follow himself if he found he could
not give the time which the command of the regiment in-
volved. He then referred to the loss of the range of the
corps. A more serious loss could hardly befall:a regiment,
and it was becoming a serious question for all metropolitan
corps. They lost their range in June, in the very middle
of the shooting season. If their range was stopped there was
no safety for any of the ranges round London ; for not only
had they never had an accident to a man on the range, but
they had never had an accident of any kind. In spite of that,
from the mere exercise of the will of one landowner in the
neighbourhood, their range had been shut up. It was a
great misfortune to them, and it should be a warning to the
whole force. If the country wanted the volunteers to learn
to shoot, it should bear a little with the noise of firing ball
cartridge. So many ranges were being stopped round Lon-
don that some general measure should be adopted. Either
the Government would 'have to provide ranges, or some
equally efficient measure would have to be passed.
The statistics of the shooting of the corps showed that in
1862 130 members only had commenced class shooting. In
1863 that number had increased to 268 ; and in 1864 to 283.
The number that completed class firing were in 1862 87 ; in
1863, 171; and in 1864, 205. The 205 who had completed
class shooting were out of the total of 489 officers and volun.
teers. The total enrolled strength this year was 649, against
643 in 1863; but as 37 more men had earned the 30s this
year, he looked upon that as a satisfactory set-off.
The prizes were then delivered by Mrs Oxley. At the
conclusion of the presentation,
Colonel M'MuRDo, who was loudly applauded, said he
had been invited to attend that meeting, and it was NVith
great pleasure he did so. He would address a few words to
the members of the 19th to congratulate them upon the pro-
ceedings of the evening. To see the 19th once more under
arms, to hear of its general prosperity, to witness the dir•
tribution of the prizes, and to hear how they had won, was
to him a great pleasure. He experienced also great satis-
faction in seeing round him the supporters of the corps. It
was an important thing that each corps should have its sup-
porters among the public. (Cheers.) It was supported on
the one hand by the Government end on the other by the
people, bat the encouragement given by the Government
was surpassed by that given by the people. The force as a
citizen army would always be considered as a supplement
to the regular army. At first it no doubt crested some jea-
lousy on the part of the army, it being overlooked that the
volunteers were formed for and would be confined to the ree
polling of an enemy from our shores. But whatever jealousy
had existed, he was happy to say it had all been long dissi-
pated, and the army were ready and willing to give the
volunteers all the assistance they could. (Cheers.) He then
went on to say there was scarcely a corps that had not its
chaplain, and if that had not been so he believed the move-
ment would not have prospered as it had done with a large
section of the people. At all times armies had sought to
attach to them their chaplains, whose prescriptions gave to
the soldiers physical force. There had scarcely been a battle
fought, but that the presence of tho chaplain had been found
beneficial and encouraging to the man who know that in a
short time he would be launched into eternity. lie then
congratulated the corps upon the manner in which they had
conducted their shooting, notwithstanding the difficulties
they had encountered when their range was closed in June
last. Both he and Lord De Grey were aware of the fact, and
they did all they could to remedy it, but were unsuccessful.
He quite agreed with what Colonel Hughes has said, that
nobody had been hurt, and regretted exceedingly that there
was no act of Parliament to prevent volunteers being at the
mercy of a parcel of fools who, from freak of temper, closed
their ranges. (Cheers and laughter.) Colonel Hughes had
referred to the first inspection he (Colonel M'Alurdo) had
made of the 19th Middlesex. It was remarkable, because it
was the first inspection he ever made of any corps. But that
inspection showed him what he was to expect from the
volunteers, and he was not wrong. because in the December
of that year there were 18,000 men enrolled, and in 18 months
afterwards there wore 100,000 enrolled. (Cheers.) With
reference to what had been termed by the press undue
praise to volunteers, he confessed he had sought to avoid
that. It was necessary when officers inspected corps that
they should say something of praise or encouragement,
as the force
frequentlywa s dividedtaking into
place, many
it partsap
P
aTnhdi s they and
were inspections,
eared, no doubt, that praise was continuously bestowed
upon the men ; although when it was considered that men
turned out to do duty at night till they became perfect in
their drill they deserved praise. (Cheers.) He then re-
marked upon the importance of corps keeping up their drill
and shooting, and fearlessly asserted that the 19th had, in
this particular, ably acquitted themselves— (cheers) ; and
concluded by wishing the corps continued prosperity.
Lieut. Col. HUGHES said he had nearly forgotten to men-
tion that the 19th were much indebted to the 4th Surrey