The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-27 00:00:00

THE VOLUATEERS.

Last week being Whitsun week, nearly all the
Volunteer corps of the northern counties were out,
and as the weather was beautifully fine, their
musters have been largely attended. On Monday
afternoon the Newcastle-on-Tyne Rifles, under the
command of Sir John Fife, were inspected by Major
Harman, upon the Town Moor, in the presence of
an immense concourse of above 10,000 persons. The
ground was kept by the Armstrong Engineers, the
Gateshead Rifles, and the 'Tyne and Derwent
Rifles. The corps underwent a rigid inspection,
and were highly commended. The Ist Northum-
berland Rifles also underwent a highly satisfactory
inspection at Walker on Monday. On Tuesday
the greatest demonstration of Volunteers ever held
in the north took place at Sunderland, on the oc-
casion of the inauguration of a monument to the
late Sir H. Havelock. The battalion, under the
command of Major Harman, consisted of the Sun-
derland Rifles and Artillery, the Seaham Volunteers,
the South Shields and Tynemouth Rifles and Ar-
tillery, the Stockton, Darlington, Durham City, and
Newcastle Rifle Corps, the Newcastle-on-Tyne Ar-
tillery, the Armstrong Engineers, the Grange
School Cadets, and a splendid body of seamen,
forming the Sunderland Naval Reserve, the whole
battalion mustering nearly 3,000 men. Their
steady marching and fine soldierly bearing in the
immense procession to the People's-park called
a very high encomium from the commanding officer.
On Saturday the usually quiet little town of
Stratford was in a state of overflowing activity and
excitement in consequence of a brigade field day
of the Volunteer artillery and rifles of the county of
Essex,under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Capper,
of the 2d Essex Battalion. The Volunteers present
comprised a demi-battery of the West Essex
Artillery and a troop of the West Essex Yeo-
manry Cavalry. The Ist battalion, consisting of
the Ist company of Middlesex Artillery, the sth
company of the 26th Middlesex Rifles, the Ist com-
pany of the 33d Middlesex Rifles, the 3d
company of the Bth Essex Rifles, making a
total of 10 companies, was commanded by
Major Grey, 26th Middlesex, Captain Sin-
clair of the Bth Essex, being acting Major. The
2d battalion, consisting of the sth, 6th, 7th, and 10th
companies of the sth Essex Rifles, the 2d company
of the 2d London Rifles, the 2d company of the 9th
Essex, the 2d company of the 4th Tower Hamlets,
making a total of 10 companies, was under the eom-
mend of Major Silver, 2d Essex Battalion, Captain
Howard, of the sth Essex, being Acting Major.
The 3d battalion, consisting of the Ist company sth
Essex Artillery, the lst,. 2d, 3d, 4th, Bth, and 9th
companies, sth Essex Rifles, two companies of the
4th Tower Hamlets Rifles, and one company of the
7th Tower Hamlets Rifles, was under the command
of Major Birt, sth Essex ; Captain Elliott was the
Brigade-Major. The various corps, numbering
about 2,000 men, rendezvoused at Stratford-green,
and, accompanied by their bands, marched to Wan-
stead. flats. where they went through the ordinary
evolutions of a field day in a very creditable man-
ner, the commanding officer expressing himself much
gratified with the efficiency the men had attained.
A field day of part of the Ist battalion of Wor-
crstershire Rifle Volunteers took place in the grounds
of Lea Castle, the seat of Mr. J. Brown Westhead,
M.P., on Whit Tuesday. There was a large con-
course of spectators. The corps taking part in the
review were the Wolverley, 3d Kidderminster com-
panies, the Halesowen, and the Stourbridge, the
whole being under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Knight, M.P. The manoeuvres were admirably
performed. Impromptu foot races took place after
dinner. Ist race, 300 yards, Martin, of Stourbridge
corps, first, and Turley, of Wolverley, second ; 2d
race, 300 yards, Edge, of 2d Kidderminster corps,
first, Cooper, of 3d Kidderminster, second ; 3d race,
300 yards, Robertson, of Halesowen corps, first ; no
second prize.

On Thursday afternoon the 10th Wiltshire Rifle
Volunteers, mustering 100, were entertained to din-
ner by their captain, the Marquis of Bath, at the
Town-hall, Warminster.

On Whit Monday a rifle match took place on
Hampton Down between the Bath and Bristol
Volunteer Rifle Corp. The shooting was very fair,
though not by any means so good as has been
made on previous occasions by the same members of
the Bath Companies at private practice. This arises
from over anxiety, and no doubt operates on both

sides alike, for we understand the scores of the
Bristol men have also been much higher. The

average shooting was Bath 13.7, Bristol 11.7. At
the short range, the shooting was greatly in favour
of the Bath competitors, who scored 41 against 30
by their Bristol brethren, but at the longer ranges
—viz., 500 and 600 yards, the shooting was very
equal—at 500 yards Bath making 24 and Bristol
22, while at 600 yards the Bristol men scored one
more than Bath—viz., 18 against 17.
An amateur dramatic performance by the mem-
bers of the 20th (North-West) Middlesex Rifle

"olunteers, in aid of the band fund of the corps,

,00k place last Wednesday evening at Sadler's-

. -
wells Theatre under distinguished patronage. The

pieces were, first a drama, entitled the " Old

Chateau," which was followed by " Delicate
Ground" and " His First Champagne." The parts
allotted to the members were respectively per-
formed in a creditable manner, especially those of

Quishe, Mr. Howard, Mr. Rice, and Mr. Bel

ford. The female parts were ably sustained by
Miss M. Eburn, Miss Weekes, and Miss Hammond.

A large number of the members of the corps were

present with their splendid band.
On Saturday evening the members of the 37th
Middlesex Rifle Volunteers assembled, to the num-

ber of 600, at the open space fronting the Found-
ling Hospital, Guildford-street, and marched under
the command of Colonel Jeakes, to Russell-square.

Having taken up positio❑ in front of a large tree
fir. Bailey came forward, and, after making an
eloquent speech, presented them with a gift of aide
colours. Colonel hakes, on behalf of the regiment,
returned thanks.

On Saturday afternoon a strong muster of the
7th S.Arrey marched from their head-quarters to
Kennington-park to undergo an inspection by Col.
Nl'Murdo. After performing a variety of move-
ments, under the command of Major Beresford, they
were formed into square and addressed by Colonel
M'Murdo, who complimented the corps on the
progress it had made in military duty.
On Saturday evening the 19th Surrey mustered
at the drill pavilion, Kennington-park, and, headed
by their band, proceeded to Kennington-oval, where
they went through a series of battalion evolutions
in a very creditable manner, after which they
marched to Clapham, and thence back to the pavi-
lion. Some delay was occasioned in the starting
owing to the time for muster not being rigidly ob-
served. Nothing tends so much to produce dis-
affection in a corps as a proceeding of this kind, it
being an act of injustice to those who are punctual

n their attendance, and often destroying those fee

ings of courtesy and kindness exhibited by the
officers towards the men. It is for the general
good that every opportunity should be taken of
meeting together, in order that they may not be
behind other companies when a general inspection
takes place; and it is especially disheartening to
the officers to find any lack of int2rest on these

occasions.

The " Champion's Badge" of the St. George's
'Volunteer Rifle Corps was contested for at Worm-
wood Scrubbs, on Thursday morning last, between
twenty of the best shots in the corps. The conditions
were two rounds each at ranges of 300, 400, 500,
600, and 700 yards. The successful competitor was
Sergeant Stuart, of No. 6 company, who made 13
points, without missing the target once in the ten
sounds. The rules of the Champion's Badge decide
that it shall be challenged within every two
months.
The 38th Middlesex Rifles (Artists) shot for two
of their prizes on Tuesday last at Caterham. The
first prize, a Westley Richards' breech-loading rifle,
presented by Captain F. Leighton, was contended
for by members in the Ist and 2d class, at 500 and
600 yards. It was won by Corporal Thornley.
The second prize, a handsome silver-gilt cup, pre-
sented by Captain Arthur Lewis, to be shot for by
members in the Ist class only, at 300, 600, and 900
yards, was won by Ensign Talfourd. Notwith-
standing the heat of the day, the shooting, espe-
cially at the 900 yards' range, was exceedingly
good, Ensign Talfourd scoring seven points in 10
rounds at 900 yards, and Captain Lewis 10 points.
On Saturday, the 25th, a silver bugle, subscribed
for by the ladies of Streatham, was presented to the
4th Surrey Rifle Volunteers. The corps assembled
in the grounds of Park-hill, Streatham, the resi-
dence of Mr. W. Leaf, and formed a remarkably
well organized and disciplined company of about
120 file. Mrs. Leaf presented the bugle, making at
the same time a short but eloquent address. Cap-
tain E. G. Syms returned thanks. Upwards of 800
persons were present at the ceremony. It was
stated that the surplus funds would be devoted to
the institution of prizes to be contended for by the
corps.
A 10th company is in course of formation to the
Engineer Volunteers, which now numbers upwards
of 700 effeetives. The uniform is a handsome scarlet,
somewhat similar to that of the Royal Engineers.
The corps also possesses a splendid band of 30
performers.

A committee has been formed for the purpose
of establishing an East-end division of the
Foresters' Rifle Volunteers, and at a meeting
recently held resolutions in furtherance of that
object were passed. Several enrolments have
already taken place.
A drum and fife band has been recently formed
in connexion with the 4th Middlesex (North Lon
don) Rifles. On Saturday evening the corps to the
number of about 100, marched through the princi-
pal thoroughfares preceded by their band, and under
the command of Major Lord Truro, to the head-
quarters of the sth Tower Hamlets Rifles, at
Kin gsland.
During the past week the Ist Middlesex Engi-
neer Volunteers commenced its class instruction
in musketry, and daily squads have been formed
for practice in gabion making, under the superin-
tendence of Captain Barlow, R.E., the adjutant of
the corps, preparatory to the more advanced
branches of engineering. Five additional com-
panies are being formed, and it is expected that the
new butt (having a range of 900 yards) will be
made available in the course of the present season.
A banquet was given to Lord Lyttelton at the
Shire-hall, Worcester, on Thursday night, by the
officers of the various rifle corps of Worcestershire.
Lieut.-Colonel F.W. Knight, M.P., took the chair.
He said he had been an alarmist ever since the
Duke of Wellington had written his celebrated
letter to Sir John Burgoyne on the defences of the
country. He hardly thought the rifle movement
had been well treated by the Government, but he
only asked that the Government should provide
proper staff and drill grounds, for he considered the
volunteers were as fully entitled to a permanent
staff as the militia.
On Saturday a detachment of the 7th Middlesex
(Islington) Rifles, under Captain Ebsworth, com
mandant, proceeded to Hackney Marshes for judg-
ing distance drill, preliminary to commencing ball
practice at their rifle range at Rainham, on Satur-
day next. The cadet company of the corps now
numbers between 50 and 60 members. They have
made great progress under their drill instructor,
Sergeant Hornby, late of the Rifle Brigade, and
have presented him with a handsome timepiece.
The new company which is now being raised in
connexion with the North-East London Rifle
Brigade at Hackney is making rapid progress, and
it is intended to hold a public meeting of the inha-
bitants on Thursday next to promote the success of
the company. Field-Marshal Viscount Combermere
has given permission for the regiment to drill at
the Tower of London, and Lieutenant-Colonel Grant
has also lent the barrack-square of the Ist Tower
Hamlets Militia, under his command at Dalston,
for a similar purpose.
After the presentation of colours to the 39th
Middlesex (Finsbury) Rifles on Monday last at the
Crystal Palace by Captain Berdo?, which has been
already noticed, Mr. Flear presented to Sergeant-
Major Hadrill, drill instructor, on behalf of the
corps, a costly gold watch and chain, bearing a suit-
able inscription, and accompanied by a purse of
sovereigns, in testimony of their sense of the ser-
vices he has rendered them. The 39th now num-
bers upwards of 800 effectives.
On Saturday the inhabitants of Hampstead,
Highgate, and the neighbourhood assembled in
large numbers at the parade-ground, Swain's lane,
Highgate, to witness the foot-races and athletic
sports competed for by the members of the Second

Administrative Battalion (Hampstead, Highgate,
and Hornsey) Rifle Volunteers. There were 11 flat
and hurdle races, and two hop races, besides a
handsome prize given for putting a shot 181 b. After
the close of the proceedings Major Wilkinson stated
that similar sports on a more extended scale were
in contemplation. He expressed a hope that they
would be introduced into all the rifle corps in the
kingdom.
On Saturday last the members of the 7th Kent
Volunteer Rifles mustered in the grounds of Mr. H.
Leake, Ivarden-house, Blackheath, and presented
to their instructor, Quartermaster Shepherd, a gold
watch and chain value 40 guineas.

COMMISSIONERS FOR THE EXHIBITIOIV OFIBSI

Yesterday the fourth report of these Commis-
sioners, dated the 3d instant, and addressed to the
Home Secretary, was presented to Parliament. The
report consists of a narrative of the various steps
taken by the commissioners in the period of five
years that has elapsed since the issuing of their
last report. The circumstances which led to the
complete change in the position of the commis-
sioners towards the Government ; and the dissolu-
tion of the partnership in the Kensington-gore
estate, leaving them the sole owners of the property,
are fully detailed. The various outlying portions of
their estate, irrespective of the piece occupied by
the Government on which the South Kensington Mu-
seum is erected, have been let by the commissioners
on building leases. Of the remainder ofthe estate the
central portion, to the extent of more than 22 acres,
has been devoted to the Horticultural Society. The
arrangements made with the Society of Arts and
the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1862 for a
loan of a portion of the estate are also explained
in this report. A lease has been granted to the
Society of Arts of the permanent buildings pro-
posed to be erected to be used in holding exhibitions,
and for purposes connected with the promotion of
arts end manufacutures. Sixteen acres of the
same land are reserved for an Exhibition to be
held in 1872. The commissioners add : " Out of the

total extent of land originally purchased by us in
1852, amounting to 85 or 86 acres, the various appro-
priations that have already been made for the pur-
poses of the Department of Science and Art,
the construction of roads, the Horticultural
Gardens, the Exhibitions of 1862 and 1872, and
the erection of private houses, have absorbed,
more or less permanently, not less than 70 acres, so
that only 14 or 15 acres, or about one-sixth of the
land forming the Kensington-gore estate, remain
at present unappropriated to the development of
the purposes contemplated by our charter ; and
even tour acres of that amount have been tempora-
rily lent for the Exhibition of 1862. Whilst we
cannot but look upon this as a most satisfactory
result, and as one affording every prospect of the
ultimate and entire accomplishment of the impor-
tant objects for the promotion of which the estate
was originally purchased by us under the powers
conferred upon us by her Majesty, it will be our
duty, in the new and independent position now
occupied by us, to persevere in our exertions to
attain that end, and to endeavour to merit a con•
tinuance of that eonfidence and favour which her
Majesty has been graciously pleased to extend to
us throughout the whole period of our incorpora-
tion."

COUNTRY MARKETS.

NORWICH-MAT 25.

At this market to-day wheat was in fair supply, with
a slow sale, and last week's rates were is to :115 decline.
The supply of barley limited, and little business doing.
Flour in favour of the buyer.
White wheat 58s to 62s 1 Red wheat 54s to 58s
Malting barley....4ss to 47s Chevalier barley 4ls to 44s
Distilling do.. ....31s to 34s 1 Oats.. 26s to 30s
Flour, 43s to 43s 6d per sack from the miller.