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
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 gold, and re-
ceived 2d. a-day for one year ; and 130 marksmen
received ld. 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 Mariner, and have decided that in future
good shooting prizes shall be granted to the Royal
Marines at the rate of 10 percent. upon the average
number of men borne upon the shore strength, with-
out limit.
In 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 discharger of men by
Purchase will, for the present, be suspended. Re-
t however,is progressing very favourably.
The average number of men who have joined at the
several divisiOns is at the rate of about 120 per
month.
c
157 direction of the authorities old soldiers,
not over r pears of age, who have been discharged
with
standard latacters, are allowed to re-enlist. The
or
RT6Nvina- lads from 18 to 20 years of
age is 5 fett 4 inch -
age, 5 feet
;, and from 20 to 30 years of
..„
Colonel Tohn na
nas Gascoigne, C.D., ap-
pointed Second Comma
ant of the Royal Marine
Division at Woolvriati
' ISisterday entered upon the
duties of his office.

The first steps have been take f°r the erection
a
of the Royal Artillery Hos Pit .4.'
'°ll Xidb
mon, within the boundary of ,
b 3.11 rook-cora-
near Woolwich-common. A large ' pariah,
building materials has been carted to the quantity of
and a great portion of the foundation laid spot,„,
The frontage facing the old Dover-roatl, Which
divides Woolwich and Kidbrook-common, Will be
900 feet in length. The site, with the exeeiStiOn
of its vicinity to the cemetery at the baelc, is con.
aidered well chosen, 011 account of its highly
which over-
salubrious and cheerful position,
looks an extensive and varied track o country
f
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-
tion walls have been found greater than was antici-
pated, front the boggy state of the subsoil, which in
some
ilium:le h
Places has required a layer of concrete eight
feet
The materials for this were oarted
from the gravel
ci
about three
miles. The establishment intended for