Wednesday was a gala day with this company. The proceedings
commenced with a rifle match for a handsome silver cup, given
by C. F. G. Clark, Esq. (Mayor of Dudley): and Corporal
Devall, the winner of the Beauchamp Cup (shot for last week),
was again the victor. He made eighteen points at the three
ranges--three more points than won the first cup. The other
competitors who most nearly approached the winner were as
follow:--Lieutenant Sanders, 16; Ensign Hewitt, 16; Sergeant
Wood, 17; J. Wilkinson, 14; Albert Wood, 14; J. H. Smith,
13; J. Bromwich, 16; Worrall, 14; G. Fellows, 12; Burton,
14; Blackstock, 15; Dixon, 11; Wilson, 14. In the evening
the officers of the company were entertained at a sumptuous
dinner at the Bush Hotel (Mr. J. Cartwright's), provided by
the non-commissioned officers and privates, intended as a
return of a similar compliment paid to the men by the officers
some time ago. About eighty sat down, under the presidency
of Sergeant G. H. Deeley; Sergeant Williscroft occupying the
vice-chair; and among the other invited guests were, Rev. J.
Davis (hon. chaplain to the corps), Captain Woolridge (adjutant
to the battalion), W. Haden, Esq., J. P.; C. F. G. Clark, Esq.
(Mayor), E. Grainger, Esq., (High Bailiff), T. Tinsley, Esq.
(Ex-Mayor), S. D. Fereday, Esq., G. Taylor, Esq., J. Renaud,
Esq., &c., &c.--The efficient band of the corps played a
selection of music during dinner. After the withdrawal of the
cloth, the customary loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed
in due order from the chair. In responding to the "Bishop and
Clergy," the hon. chaplain defended the rifle corps movement
against the attacks of those who said it was inconsistent with
the profession of Christianity to be a soldier, and quoted
various examples from Holy Writ in support of his argument.
Among other examples he instanced Joshua, David, Goliath,
Jehoshaphat, and John the Baptist. The rev. gentleman concluded
by expressing a hope that all engaged in the Volunteer movement
would understand the obligations they took upon themselves, and
endeavour to discharge their duties properly. The health of the
corps followed. The "Army and Navy" followed, with "three times
three" for Captain Woolridge. The Captain on rising to respond,
was again received with loud cheers. He said the toast of the
army and navy was always well received, but seldom or never
so cordially as by a company purely civilian in character,
because those who worked at home for their own good seemed to
have a sort of innate sympathy with soldier or sailor who
worked hard, but not for his own aggrandizement--for they could
hardly tell him of one who had grown rich in the service.
They were sympathised with because they worked for the honour
of their Queen and the safety of the country. (Cheers.) The
Volunteer movement had been eulogised by everybody, from her
Majesty downwards, and it was scarcely his place--if, indeed,
it was necessary--to say anything about it then, connected as
he was with the movement, and occupying some such position as
an attache did to an embassy, inasmuch as he was obliged to
perform the orders received from head quarters. As far as he
knew about the policy of head quarters, he was sure they did
not intend to reduce the regular army in consequence of the
efficiency of the volunteer corps in the kingdom. He thought
their intention was to keep up the army as it was at present,
so that if war broke out they might be employed in defending
our wide-spread colonies, and the volunteers, if wanted, could
keep peace at home. After alluding to the difficulties which
surrounded the office of adjutant, Captain Woolridge went on
to compliment the Dudley Company upon their efficiency, and
said that if they would only go on as they had begun, they
ought to achieve great things. He had eleven companies in his
district, but he believed the Dudley corps was the only one
which was almost or entirely self-supporting. From such a
company he should expect to see an example set to others, both
as respect to discipline and conduct. Now that Government was
going to provide instructors and ammunition, he should like
to see a company out of the battalion perfectly equipped for
service in the field, and he knew of no company possessing such
pecuniary advantages for such a purpose as the Dudley Company.
The gallant captain concluded, amidst loud cheers, by again
speaking in eulogistic terms of the general character of the
corps. The "Lord Lieutenant and Magistrates of the County" was
responded to by W. Haden, Esq., in a brief speech, in which
he took occasion to remark that, in discharging the difficult
and onerous duties of their office, it was of the greatest
importance that the Magistrates should be supported in their
decisions by the good feeling of their fellow townsmen; and
if they were supported in their work by such a respectable
body of fellow-townsmen as he saw before him that night, the
decisions and acts of the Magistrates must have far more
importance and weight than they otherwise possibly could. The
toast of the evening, "The Officers of the Corps," followed
in a neat speech from the chair, to which Captain Wainwright
responded on behalf of himself and his brother officers, and
was received with boisterous outbursts of applause. He said
they had been associated together in a new and difficult
undertaking for about two years. The officers especially were
surrounded with difficulties, inasmuch as they had to learn
their own business before they could teach it to others, and
to acquire the art of obtaining a certain amount of obedience
from those who were not accustomed to obey military command.
Looking back all this time he thought his brother officers
would agree with him that they were very much indebted to
the members of the corps for the attention they had always
paid to their duties, by which great assistance had been
rendered to the officers. To quote the expression of Colonel
McMurdo at Worcester, they were indebted to the company for
the "forbearance" they had shown to their officers. It was
necessary that such "forbearance" should be shown, because
officers had to learn their duties like the men, and they
required a greater amount of attention, and consequently they
might not be performed so well as they ought; but with the
help afforded by the members of the company they would in time
become better informed than they were. Therefore he hoped
they would continue to help the officers for the future, and
all act as harmoniously together as they had done that day,
and then the corps would be a credit to the county and the
country. Alluding to the address of the chaplain, in which that
gentleman remarked upon the blessings of the Almighty resting
upon those who were attempting to get possession of a land that
was promised only, the Captain remarked how much more might
they expect that blessing to rest upon those employed in the
defence of a country already in possession. (Cheers.) After
stating that he took the entertainment given to the officers
that evening as an expression of the good feeling and harmony
subsisting between them, the speaker referred to the assistance
they had received from their friends and neighbours, and to
the proposed movements for the future, including the shooting
to come off next week for a "Lancaster rifle," presented by
W. Haden, Esq.--The winner of the Beauchamp and Mayor's Cups
(Corporal Devall) was then formally presented to the Mayor,
who presented him with the cup won that day, and addressed him
in a suitable and encouraging speech. Corporal Devall replied
"The Mayor," with three cheers; "The High Bailiff," "The
Chairman, Vice-chairman, and non-commissioned Officers," "The
Lieutenants," "Quarter Master," (Mr. Johnson), and other toasts
followed. In addition to the instrumental music of the band,
the proceedings of the evening were much enlivened by various
vocal performances.