The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-14 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

The annual distribution of the prizes and rewards
to the best marksmen of the Chatham division of
the Royal Marines Light Infantry has just been
made at head-quarters, Chatham, and the Lords of
the Admiralty, in a general order on the subject,
have expressed their high approval and gratifica-
tion at the proficiency to which the non-commis-
sioned officers and men have attained, as compared
with the return for former years. The number of I
men to whom prizes have this year been awarded
is 141. The best shot of the division received a
badge of crossed muskets and crown embroidered
in gold, with a gratuity of 3d. per day for one year ;
ten first-class marksmen were decorated with a
badge of crossed muskets worked in gokl, and re-
ceived 2d. a-day for one year; and 130 marksmen
received id. a-day in addition to the usual pay, and
a permission to wear a badge of crossed muskets
worked in worsted. Each of the men will be allowed
to retain these marks of distinction until they shall
have had an opportunity of again competing for
these rewards. The regulations heretofore in force
limited the number of paid marksmen to 10 per
cent., the whole not to exceed 100 men in each year,
but the Lords of the Admiralty have had under con-
sideration the relative proportion of men borne upon
the rolls of a regiment of the Line and a division of
Royal Marines, and have decided that in future
good shooting prizes shall be granted to the Royal
Marines at the rate of 10 per cent. upon the average
number of men borne upon the shore strength, with-
out limit.

Ir. consequence of the corps of Royal Marines
being 'considerably below its proper strength, an
official intimation has been received at Chatham
from the Admiralty that all discharges of men by
Tietrebase will, for the present, be suspended. Re-
cruitingea ageveryfavourably..number of men who have joined at the
month. tysai.ns is at the rate of about 120 per
not over 30
yirection of the authorities old soldiers,
with „mi.,
_,
aarras of age, who have been discharged
.tand:r 'foura
n,rocte”,are allowed to re-enlist. The
°age is 5 feet 5t lads from 18 to 20 years of
I in-oats:9, and from 20 to 30 years of
lige, 5 feet
Colonel John n,
wkins
Gascoigne, C. 8., ap-
pointed Second Coannnna
E of the Royal Marine
Divisi at
dutieson of hisW office.oolwich,
yesterday entered upon the
Hospital onfZ
The first steps have been taken
the erection
of Charlton
the Royal Artillery
mon, within the boundary com-
near Woolwich-common. A large giuna parish,
building materials has been carted to tiliateitY of
a
and a great portion of the foundatiort laid rtt,
The frotitage facing the old Dover-road, wbiueii
divides Woolwich and Kid brook-common, will be
VOO feet in length. The site, with the exception
of its vicinity to the cemetery at the back, is con-
sidered well chosen, on account of its highly
salubrious and cheerful position, which• over-
looks an extensive and varied track of country
on all sides. The infirmary grounds will extend
over an' enclosed area of eight acres. The diffi-
culties of forming a solid stratum for the founda-
tio4,walls have been found greater than was antici-
Plted, from. the boggy state of the subsoil, which in
s
Plaees ha, required a layer of concrete .eight
feet in
depth. lThe materials for this were carted
from the gravel quarries at Piumstead, a distance of I
about three miles. The establishment intended for )

washing the hospital linen by means of steam
machinery, commenced last year on Woolwich-com-
mon, is partly roofed in. The period for the com-
pletion of the building is three years.
The Ist Somerset Militia are ordered to assemble
at Taunton for their annual training on the 24th
proximo. The recruits come up 14 days sooner.