The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-04 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

LONDON AND WESTMINSTER RIFLES (46TH MlDDLE-
slx.)—This corps held its first parade since the holidays on
Saturday evening in Westminster Hall, when there was a
very large muster, above 300 being present. After the
companies had been formed, Lieut.-Col. Sir John Shelley
minutely inspected the arms of each company,and expressed
himself perfectly satisfied. The battalion was then formed
in line, and put through the manual and platoon exercise
by Lord Campbell, in a manner which elicited frequent ap-
plause from the spectators. The band, under the direction
of Mr. Dean, played a selection of favourite airs. The re-
port of the Royal Commission has already had its good
effects with this corps, a large number joining the different
companies daily.
LONDON SCOTTISH.—This corps met for the first time
since the holidays on Saturday evening, in Westminster
Hall, on which occasion there was setting-up drill, under
the serjeant major. The attendance was very much larger
than expected, which may be taken as an indication not
only that the volunteer spirit in this corps is not flagging,
but also that the members are anxious to pass the preli-
minary drills required to constitute an effective. This
large muster may likewise be a good augury of the pro-
bable effect of the recommendations of the Royal commis-
sioners, by whom a reduction in the number of drills
necessary to constitute an effective has been recom-
mended. Lord Elcho, Adjutant Captain Page, Captain
M'Kenzie, and other officers of the regiment, were present,
and expressed their gratification at the large attendance
and steady drill.
NORTH MIDDLESEX RIFLES.--The second annual prize
meeting of this corps, occupied a considerable portion of
the past week at the new rifle range of the regiment, at
Child's-hill, Hampstead. The proceedings excited con-
siderable interest, and Lieutenant -Colonel Whitehead and
other officers of the regiment were present. The company
prizes were first competed for, viz., three guineas for first
and two guineas for second, at 150, 200, and 300 yards, five
rounds at each. No. 1 Company—First prize won by
Colour-Sergeant Fraser with a score of 35 ; second prize,
Corporal Harrison, 27. No. 2 Company—First prize,
Sergeant Legge, 33 ; second prize, Private Kennedy, 30.
No. 3 Company—First prize, Private Joyce, 26 ; second
prize, Corporal Jackson, 23. No. 4 Company—First
prize, Corporal Humphrey, 32 ; second prize, Corporal
Pavey, 29. No. 6 Company—Privates Pope and Stratton
tied with 26 each, but the contest being decided by the
greatest number of hits, Pope took first and Stratton second
prize. No. 7 Company—First prize, Sergeant Male, 30 ;
Private Cherry was second with 29 marks, but being
to
disqualified Private J. Barker took the prize with 28
marks. The battalion prizes were next competed for.
First prize,
a cup of the value of ten guineas, or money,
presentedby ViscounteveryeffeEctnivfie eld,honorary
colonel, open
memberM.P., at ranges of
200, 400, and 600 -
yards, five rounds at each, was won by
Colour Sergeant Fraser. Lieut.-Colonel Whitehead's cup,
value ten •
guineas, or money, at ranges of 300, 500, and 700
yards, five rounds each,
No. 1 Company.
Thecompetition for Major Peter's prize
eight (a cup of the value of guineas) was spirited, and there
were 21 effcctives entered the lists. Principal scores :
Private Berry (No. 2Co Points. Hits. Total.
Corporal Harrison (No. Company) ParlY) ••. • 27 13 40
Private Joyce (No 3 Company)'Company) 24
13
37
The next contest was for the
19 14 33
b battalion medal, won last
year, and held for 12 months
4 Company). There were 14'e
Corporal Humphrey (No.
ranges being 300, 400, 500,
and 600
for the competition, the
the contest Private Joyce, of No. 3 yards. At the close of
medal from Corporal Humphrey by Company, wrested the
prize, a piece of plate, valued at ifoone point only. Fifth
distances. between 400 and 500 yards. guineas,There was also a
second prize, consisting of the entrance ties to be
decided by hits. The principal scores were
;
Points. Hits. Total.
Sergeant Eedes (No. 2 Company) 12
7 19
Private Joyce (No. 3 Company).... 12
7 19
Sergeant Male (No. 7 Company).... 13
6 19
Corp. G. O. Wells (No. 1 Company) 13
6 19
Serjeant Eedes and private Joyce, being equal in hits, shot
off their tie for the first prize, the former making a centre,
whilst the latter missed, Joyce taking the second prize. In,
consequence of the range being otherwise engaged, the
competitors for the lathes' cup and other prizes will, it is
expected, shoot to-day.
WEST Mums= KYLES,—The prizes recently shot

On Saturday evening the London Artillery Brigade,
under Major Walmsley ; the Tower Hamlets Engineers,
under Captain C. H. Gregory ; and the 4th and 6th
Tower Hamlets Rifles, under Lieut.-Col. Money, marched
out for the first time this season. The route was from
headquarters, Shaftesbury •street, Hoxton, the Post-office,
thence by way of Ludgate-hill, Fleet-street, the Strand,
Parliament-street, halting in Old Palace-yard, Westmin-
ster, where the men fell out, and, after an interval of a
quarter of an hour, returned to headquarters, via Stam-
ford-street, and were dismissed. The force consisted of
eight companies, forming a total of 450 men, accompanied
by their respective bands.

ILFRACOMBE.—On the 29th ult. the 4th Devon Rifle
Volunteers were inspected byMajer Hume, assistant inspec-
tor of volunteers. The weather was extremely fine, and a
large number of the neighbouring gentry and clergy, and
the numerous visitors at this improving watering place,
were present on the occasion. After having minutely ex-
amined the arms, accoutrements, and clothing of the corps,
the inspector directed Capt. Vye to put the men through
the manual and platoon exercise, the entire company drill,
as required from volunteers, and the light infantry drill of a
company skirmishing; he then called the officers to the
front, and addressed the corps in the most flattering terms,
congratulating them on the large muster, which showed a
considerable increase on last year, on the smart and soldier-
like manner in which they had performed their duties, and
the very able manner in which they were manoeuvred in
company drill by their commandiug:9lficer. The light in-
fantry movements, however, wore untquito up to the mark;
but with that single exception he should report most favour-
able of the corps to the War- office, feeling sure that by next
year this deficiency would be remedied. The proceedings
terminated with three hearty cheers for the inspector, the
adjutant, and the captain commandant. The number of all
ranks present at inspection was 61, which with those absent
with leave is nearly the entire strength of the corps.

.RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

WEST FLANDERS.

The half7yearly meeting of this company was held yes-
terday at the offices, Moorgate-street—Mr. It. Till in the
chair.

Mr. M. CH.UBB, the secretary, having read the notice
convening the meeting, the report, an abstract of which has
appeared in Ike Sun, was taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said this was only the second occasion upon which he had
to state that their onward progress had been interfered with,
but he considered it an exceptional case. Belgium suffered
as well as England from the want of cotton. Ghent being a
manufacturing place for cotton goods, the depression there,
in a very considerable degree pervaded over a large district
and affected the traffic of the country to some extent. As far
as they were concerned it did not affect them in the same
degree. They were enabled to declare the same dividend as
at the corresponding period of last year, without taking
anything from the balance. The old grievance connected
with th 3 guarantee had been further delayed in the law
courts by a long vacation, but he hoped in the course of a few
weeks their case would be heard and brought to a decision.
There was some allusion in the report respecting new
schemes for railways in Belgium, but it did not state whether
they should be of service or not to their lines. He believed if
they took away traffic, they would bring traffic in return,
for it usually happened that connecting lines increased
traffic. The proposed extension from Fumes to Dunkirk
would open a direct communication with an important ship-
ping port in France, which he thought would benefit their
lines. The proposed line from their branch at Poperinghe
to Hazebrouck would also give them communication with
France. Those undertakings might do them some mischief
but he thought, on the whole, they would be compensated
in other respects. The passenger traffic had shown a de-
crease in the receipts, although the number carried had in-
creased. This arose from having a falling off in the number
of the first and second class passengers, and more than a
corresponding increase in the third class, which indicated
a want of means, but they had nothing to apprehend from
that portion of their traffic.
Mr. WILLIAMSON seconded the motion for the adoption
of the report. _ _

Mr. HERAPA.TII said the question for them was whether
the new lines were competing ones. He believed the best
thing would be to keep on good terms with them if they
could. He thought that the report was short and satisfac-
tory. _ _ .

Some discussion ensued respecting the lawsuit with the
Government. Mr. Goez suggested that the matter in dis-
pute should be submitted to arbitration, and not continued
for years in the law courts of Belgium.
Mr. RICHARDS, a director, said he did not think the
Belgium Minister was to blame in the matter. There were
two clauses in the concession respecting the mode of ascer-
taining the working expenses of the new lines, about which
there was a dispute ; the Government authorities read the
clause one way and the company
the other. It was not
competent, therefore, for the Minister to pay the demand
until the Courts decided the question. The expenses in the
Belgian law courts were very much less than in the English
law courts, and he believed they could not ask for arbitra-
tion. He considered that their claim was perfectly just.
The CHAIRMAN said they had the best legal advice they
could get, and the Government would not submit the matter
to arbitration.
Resolutions were passed adopting the report, agreeing to
the dividend of 4s. per share for the past half-year, and re-
electing Mr. Till and Capt, Greig the retiring directors.
A vote of thanks to the chairman, directors, and secretary
concluded the proceedings.