The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-30 00:00:00

THE VOL

VEMENT.

The first'official inspection of the Birmingham
Battalion took place on Monday evening in Cal-
thorpe-park by Major Dick, as was briefly an-
nounced in The Sun of Tuesday. Eleven companies
mustered, under the command of Major Mason.
The inspection and review in the park having ter-
minated, Major Dick addressed the corps. He
said:—

" I have the pleasure of expressing my congratulations
to-day, for you have undoubtedly performed the movements
in a very satisfactory manner. Your conduct in line has
been admirable, your manual and platoon exercise has been
very excellent, and quite calculated to prepare you for that
firing practice to which I consider you equal. This is the
first occasion on which I have had the honour of inspecting
a corps in the district which has been allotted to me, and I
shall be glad to find every corps under my inspection equal
to you. I hope that you will go on as you have begun, in
which case you will become a most efficient corps."
This address was received with much applause, and
the battalion immediately afterwards marched back
to Bingley•hall, Adjutant M'lnnis, who was
thrown from his horse just previously to the arri-
val of the inspecting officer, received severe in-
juries. Yesterday, though not absolutely in danger,
he was in a precarious state.
On Friday last the 3d Suffolk or Wilford Rifles
were inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Ibbetson.
Although the day was very unfavourable, the corps
in their regimental great-coats marched to the
practice ground on Bromeswell-heath, nearly three
miles from Woodbridge, and were put through a
variety of evolutions by Capt. Brooke, the com-
manding officer. Col. Ibbetson expressed himself
extremely pleased at the progress made by the
corps, who have only been up since January last.
Last evening a numerously attended public meet-
ing was held at St. Peter's school-room, Essex-street,
Mile-end-road, for the purpose of furthering the ob -
jects of the Tower Hamlets Rifles, No. 2 Company,
and more especially to increase the effective strength
of the 3d Company. The proceedings created great
interest in the districtin which the meeting was held,
a large body of the 2d Company having marched to
the place of meeting, headed by the band of the Scots
Fusiliers Guards. Captain Hammart was in the
chair, and expressed his gratification at the effi-
ciency attained by the members of the corps. It
was a capital opportunity for young men willing to
undergo a course of military training. Lieutenant
GoLE proposed the first resolution :

" That this meeting is of opinion that the vast district
comprising the Tower Hamlets is in point of numbers in-
adequately represented in the Volunteer movement, and is
therefore extremely desirous of promoting all efforts to in-
crease the numerical strength of the 2d Tower Hamlets
Volunteer Rifle Regiment."

The Rev. Mr. IZARD seconded the motion, which
was supported by the Rev. Mr. BARRY, and unani-
mously agreed to.
Capt. TOWRY then moved the next resolution
That, in order to further the objects of the foregoing
resolution, this meeting earnestly invites the young men of
Mile-end at once to enrol themselves as effective members

the 3d Company of the 2d Tower Hamlets Volunteer
Rifles."

Mr. KING seconded the motion, which was car-
ried with cheering. Several young men having
enrolled themselves, the proceedings closed with a
vote of thanks to the chairman.

On Tuesday evening the Ist Wolverhampton (sth
Staffordshire) Company was inspected by Lieut.
Col. Vernon, commandant of the 4th Battalion of
Staffordshire Rifle Volunteers, with a view to the
company being authorised to commence rifle prac-
tice. Mr. Bernard Walker, a member of the com-
pany, who has undergone a course of training at
Hythe, and has superintended the musketry
instruction, reported 22 members of the com-
pany as having passed through the necessary
preliminary drills, and they were called out,
and went through the loading and firing practice
with a promptness and accuracy which drew from
Colonel Vernon a warm encomium on the men and
their instructors. Owing to some delay in the
official inspection of the Staffordshire Volunteers,
the War-office have authorised Colonel Vernon to
pass any companies in his battalion for rifle prac-
tice, and this was the first, being No. 1 of the bat-
talion, so passed. In about a fortnight the number
who passed will be increased by fully one-half.
The practice-ground is at Wightwick, three miles
from Wolverhampton, and the range is only 250
yards, great difficulty having been experienced in
finding a ground for safe practice in the vicinity of
the town.

The Volunteers of Bath, comprising the Ist, 2d,
17th, and 18th companies of the Somerset Rifle
Volunteer Corps, have been inspected by Colonel
M'Murdo, C. 8., Her Majesty's Inspector-General
of Volunteers. The corps was put through a series
of movements, which were executed with a pre-
cision and steadiness which called forth the ap-
probation of several military officers on the ground,
and elicited the warm commendation of the in-
specting officer.
The Ist Suffolk Corps has just completed its
annual course of musketry drill and target prac-
tice, under Captain Howard, with the following
results :

Average points obtained in the first period .. 15.61
Ditto ditto in file firing .. 9.43
Ditto ditto in volley firing .. 8.25
Ditto ditto in skirmishing.. .. 4'57

Total, or "Figure of Merit"

.. .. 37 86

Meetings have been held to promote the forma-
tion of a company for the town and district of At-
tleborough, Norfolk. There is now scarcely a place
of any importance in the county without its corps.