The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-29 00:00:00

The Easter Monday Volunteer Review.

The following is the report of the committee
appointed to decide on the most favourable site for
holding the review of the metropolitan Volunteer
forces on Easter Monday next, March 28th :
My Lord,—l visited Farley-heath on Wednesday week,
in company with Lord Truro, and the observations I have
to make upon it are as follows :
I. First, as regards the ground itself, nothing can appa-
rently be more suitable for a divisional field-day. The heath
is about two miles long by one broad; it is generally undu-
lating, but is nowhere steep, and the upper part is a broad
plateau, very suitable for marching past. At one point it
rises to a height which commands the whole extent, and
would therefore be convenient for spectators. There is n)
gore or long heather. The soil is pure sand, so that it would
not be muddy even in the heaviest rain, and is covered with
very short heather and Iceland moss. There is an open pine
wood in one part of the ground, very suitable for skirmish-
ing, while in another part there is a broad ravine containing
cottages and orchards. The crest is perfectly open. The
scenery all round is most beautiful, and the lane by which
the heath is approached from Chilworth is very picturesque.
2. As regards access, Guildford station is three miles and
a half from the path going by Chilworth, but somewhat less
if approached by a lane marked on the Ordnance map,
which we did not observe. Lord Truro has undertaken the
arrangements with the railway authorities, and he informs
me that the managers state that they have no difficulty what-
ever in conveying 20,000 men, and were prepared to make
the requisite arrangements as regards station accommoda-
tion. They will remove the cattle pens at Chilworth and
bring into use some railway sidings at Shalford, which have
hitherto not been used. They engage to have return traffic
trains in perfect readiness to receive successive regiments
every 10 minutes, both at Shalford and Chilworth.

I understand that trains can come down from Ken-
sington, Vauxhall, Waterloo, Charing cross, and London-
bridge. Trains would also come, as they did last year, to
Brighton, via Kensington, while Chilworth is also accessible
from the whole of Surrey, Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire.
3. As regards accommodation, there is ample stable room
at Guildford, and I am informed by Lord Truro that a
farmer will erect a temporary stable in his meadow adjoin-
ing the Chllworth station, Messrs, Taunton, of the Cannon
Brewery, Guildford, express their readiness to provide re-
freshments for any number of men, but there will no doubt
be abundance of other parties both from the neighbourhood
and from London ready to set up booths with refreshments
on the edge of the heath.
In conclusion, I have only to say that I cannot imagine
any situation being found within the range of London which
unites so many advantages as Farley heath.--I am, my
lord, your obedient servant,

CHARLES BUXTON,
On behalf of the Committee.
The Right Hon. Lord Elcho.

At the adjourned meeting held on Thursday at the offices
of the National Rifle Association it was moved by Lord
Elcho, and seconded by Captain Templer, " That the report
of the committee recommending Farley-heath, be adopted,
and that, subject to the approval of the lords of the manor,
it be selected as the site for the field-day on Easter Mon-
day." The question having been put, there appeared, for
the motion, 13 ; against, 4.