The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-23 00:00:00

TILE VOLUNTEER IIIOVEMENI.

The most remarkable public meeting held in
Sheffield for many years took place on Wednesday,
in the Temperance-hall, Townhead-street, on the
subject of the Volunteer movement in Sheffield. It
was called by the Mayor, on the requisition of about
160 individuals and firms, comprising nearly all the
most considerable men of all sects and parties in
the town. The object was stated to be to consider
the present position of the movement, and to adopt
such measures as may be deemed advisable to fur-
thsr in Sheffield a course which was believed to be
connected with the welfare and peace of the coun-
try. The meeting, at which the Mayor presided,
fully represented all classes in the town.

The MASTER CUTLER (Mr. Hunter, jun.), pro-
posed :
" That this meeting, while heartily approving the Volun-
teer movement throughout the country, regrets that the
number of Rifle Volunteers in Sheffield is incommensurate
with the population and the importance of the town."
Mr. J. RODGERS seconded the resolution.

Mr. N. CRESWICK, after some objections on the
part of the Mayor and others, read a statement on
behalf of himself and other officers who had re-
signed their commissions in the Hallamshire Rifles.

The resolution was carried with very few dis
sentients.

Mr. DUNN moved :

" That in the opinion of this meeting the Rifle movement
in this town, under the present management, cannot attain
that degree of efficiency which might under other circum-
stances be justifiably expected to attend it."
The motion was put and carried by an over-
whelming majority, the number of hands against it
being comparatively very small. The Mayor de-
clared the proposition to be carried by " a very
large majority indeed."
Mr. FISHER Moved :
" That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that
steps be taken for the formation of another local Volunteer
crops, and that the following gentlemen be requested to com-
municate the resolutions passed at this meeting to the
Lord-Lieutenant, and in the event of sanction being obtained
for the formation of a now corps, to act (with power to add
to their number) as a committee to take the necessary
steps for that purpose :—The Mayor, the Master Cutler,
Mr. T. Dunn, Mr. C. Atkinson, Mr. S. Newbould, Mr. H.
J. Dixon, Mr. R. B. Streatfield, Mr. W. C. Corsan, Mr.
N. Creswick, Mr. R. Waterhouse, and Mr. T. E. Mycock.
Dr. HOLLAND, in seconding the motion, said the
requisition calling the meeting was one of the most
extraordinary documents that had ever appeared in
a Sheffield newspaper, both as to the number and
character of the requisitionists. Dr. Holland dwelt
upon the importance of the volunteer movement,
urging that the present state of the movement in
Sheffield was a miserable display of inefficiency for
a population of nearly 200,000 persons—a popula-
tion, to.), which could produce a larger proportion-
ate number of fine athletic young men than any
other in the kingdom. Sheffield certainly ought not
to rest satisfied with a corps of less than 2,000 men.
He deeply regretted that Sheffield should lag so
much behind in this great patriotis volunteer move-
ment. (Cheers.)

The motion was put and carried, apparently
without opposition.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding con.
eluded the proceedings, which lasted upwards o
four hours.

The prize meeting of the West Middlesex Rifles
commenced on Tuesday last the rifle practice ground,
Wormwood Scrubs ; but in consequence of the un-
favourable state of the ground, very few visitors at-
tended each day. There were 102 entries for the
company prizes of £5 each, the competition being
confined to members who had obtained 15 points
in the 3d class. The shooting was carried on at the
butts of the West Middlesex, Queen's(Westminster),
and the St. George's corps, each man firing five
rounds at 200 and 300 yards' range. The following
were the successful members :—A company, Mr. F.
Picton, 13 points ; C company, Ensign Morris, 12
points ; D company, Captain Dear, 14 points; E
company, Mr. W. Watson, 19 points ; F company,
Corporal J. Clark, 15 points ; and G company, Mr.
W. Barker, 10 points. The shooting of Mr.
Watson was highly commended, as, in spite
of the wind blowing across the range, that
gentleman scored three centres, a bull's-eye, and an
outer at 200 yards, and four centres and an outer
at 300 yards.
The services of the London Light Horse Volun-
teers, which were formed by several gentlemen at
the west-end of the metropolis, members of her
Majesty's Hunt, having been accepted by the au-
thorities,uncler the designation of the Ist Middlesex
Light Horse Volunteers, a general meeting was held
last night at Willis's Rooms, St. James's, for the
,purpose of making the final arrangements for the
organisation of the regiment and a parade at an early
date. Major Richardson, C. 8., late of the Bth Ben-
gal Irregulars, took the chair. The meeting was
well attended, and among others present were the
Count de Gendre, Messrs. Bowen May, C. Wester-
ton, E. attersall, Boyle, Dymoke Green, G. Reece,
Neville, &c. The Chairman briefly stated the ob-
jects of the meeting. He said he hoped now to pro-
ceed to the final organisation of the corps. They
had already 70 or 80 members enrolled, and he
hoped they would have more before long ; but he
was sorry to say that the uniform they had selected
had been objected to by the authorities—in fact, the
silver lace had been their ruin. The Government
had set their face against it, and there was there-
fore nothing for it but to obey. The meeting was
aware that by a recent order from the Horse Guards
soldiers in her Majesty's army were obliged to salute
the officers of the Volunteers, and the authorities
did not think there was sufficient distinction be-
tween the uniform they had selected for their corps
and that of the officers of the regular army. In-
stead of the silver lace, therefore, the privates of the
Ist Middlesex Light Horse would have their uni-
forms trimmed with white braid, and the pantaloons
were to have a stripe of White cloth. The gallant
major then proceeded to read the rules, which, he
said had been based on those of the old London Light
Horse, with some additions of his own, and these
were unanimously agreed to. It was settled that
the annual,subscription should be five guineas, with
no entrance fee until the Ist of January next ; but
that after that time any gentleman joining should
pay one guinea entrance fee, in addition to
the five guineas per annum. The Chairman
said they had now to appoint a committee and se-
cretary, and he called upon the meeting to propose
them. Messrs. Tattersall, Sheppard, Bowen May,
Garrard Dymoke Green, Neville, and Boyle, were
then elected on the committee, and the appointment
of the secretary was left to them. After some dis-
cussion, it was agreed that the expenses which had
been incurred hitherto in the formation of the
corps, in advertising, &c., should come out of the
general fund. Mr. Tattersall,
.in proposing that
Major Richardson shonld be the commandant, said
that he thought they should congratulate them-
selves upon having been fortunate enough to obtain
the services of that gentleman in organising the
corps. He was a man who had risen to the present
position entirely by his own exertions, and was
one of the most distinguished officers in the Indian
army, having himself organised and commanded a
corps of irregulars during the late rebellion in In-
dia. He feared, however, that so useful a man
would not be allo wed to remain long idles and that
they would be deprived of his services. He had
great Pleasure in proposing Major Richardson as
their
Commanding officer. This was unanimously
carried, and the chairman returned thanks for the
honour they
commandant,
done him in selecting him as their
and the kind words spoken of him.
As long as he remained in
happy to promote the interests o
of England
the
thoer
pshould e
rbye
way he could. After some further business the
meeting separated.

Engineer Volunteers (head-
natters
w ntuster nearly 550
the full
The Ist 'Middlesex
quarters South Kensington) no
rong, and will probably soon reach
strength of six companies.
Yesterday Lady Carrington presented a silver
bugle to the Eton Volunteers. At twelve o'clock
the Etonians, numbering nearly 300, mustered in
the Quadrangle of the college. Shortly after-
wards, under the command of Captain Chapman,