The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-24 00:00:00

THE AlOll,

The most satisfactory results having accrued from
the practice introduced some time since at Alder-
shot camp of employing the troops in killing and
preparing the meat daily required for the camp, a
similar system is about to be carried out at Chat-
ham, the troops at which garrison have hitherto
been supplied with their meat by the army butchers
and contractors. In consequence, however, of the
inferior character of the animal food recently fur-
nished to the troops, and the numerous complaints•
made to the War-office on the subject, the autho-
rities have deciled on discontinuing the contract
system at the expiration of the present engage-
ments, when the supply of meat will be undertaken
by the Commissariat Department, the beasts and
sheep being killed on premises belonging to the
Government. For this purpose the authorities at
the War-office have entered into a contract with
Mr. K. Spicer, builder, Rochester, for the latter to
erect a range of buildings on the Government land
at Chatham, a short distance from the garrison, to
be used as slaughter-houses, store-rooms, ware-
houses, iec , in killing and dressing the meat daily
required., to be consumed by the troops of that large
garrison. The object of employing the soldiers
themselves in killing the animals and preparing the
meat is that they may bo thoroughly conversant
with this important duty if suddenly called on to
take the field. The buildings, which are to be imme-
diately commenced at Chatham, are to be completed
and handed over to the Commissariat Department
within five months from the signing of the contract.

Yesterday Major-General Rumley, Inspector-
General of Infantry, commenced his half-yearly
examination of the troops stationed in Colchester
camp. Having first inspected the huts, the hospital,
and other buildings within the camp, the gallant
officer proceeded to the parade-ground, where the
whole troops of the camp, numbering about 2,000
rank and file, were drawn up in line. These con-
sisted of the depots Ist Royals, 6th, 54th, 56th, and
66th Regiments, forming the 9th Battalion, under
the temporary command of Lieut.-Col. Laye ; and
the sth Fusileers, 34th, 38th, 44th, 88th, and 97th
depots, forming the 10th Battalion, under the com-
mand of Major West. The entire force was com-
manded by Col. Guy, commandant of the camp,
assisted by Brigade Major Coach ; Capt. Pender
acted as aide-de-camp to Major-General Rumley.
The inspecting officer having taken up his station,
the troops marched past in quick and slow time,
their marching being the theme of general com-
mendation. Several complicated movements were
then executed in the most unexceptionable manner,
and skirmishers were thrown out to prepare for an
attackd on an imaginary enemy, in which the main
body
and by were soon engaged. The firing, both in com-
panieswards ofyt;
assemblage volleys, was marked by precision and
regularity, After
hours htbhaev. itnrgo beenops re
tunderurned armsto t
the
ef ocra umpp
to dinner. The day
etaetjoisrg
fine there was a numerous
and the result of the in-
spection was highly satisfactorys both to the General
and to the officers in charge of depots.