PETERSFIELD.
Agent—MR. G. DUPLOCK.
12th HANTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.—The annual prize firing of this excellent and efficient corps took place in the butts in Heynington Bottom on Tuesday last. The weather was particularly unfavourable, being both wet and windy. After the firing the corps was inspected and put through a series of evolutions by the adjutant of the battalion (Capt. Cook). In the evening the officers and men sat down to a capital dinner at the Dolphin Hotel, at which several of the gentry and tradesmen of the neighbourhood were present by invitation, the company in numbering about 100. The dinner was given by the officers, and was of a first-class character, and served up in a style worthy of the high repute which Mr. and Mrs. Crafts have so long possessed; there was a most efficient staff of waiters in attendance, and everything passed off admirably. The chair was ably filled by Captain Seward, who, on the removal of the cloth, gave in succession the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were responded to by the company in true English style. The Rev. J. M. Sumner responded to the toast of the ‟Bishop and clergy of the diocese,” and gave ‟Success to the 12th Hants, with the health of Captain Seward and the officers of the corps.” The Chairman responded for himself and his brother officers, after which he proceeded to distribute the prizes to the several successful competitors. The first prize was a handsome silver cup with five guineas, the gift of W. Nicholson, Esq., M.P., the Chairman stated that the hon. gentleman, in a letter which accompanied the gift, had left it to him (Capt. Seward) to determine the conditions on which the cup should be shot for, and he had accordingly decided that it should become the property of the man who should win it three times. Sergeant Chaplin was the winner on the present occasion.—[We are unable to give a list of the other prizes and the winners as we have not been furnished with the requisite information.]—With reference to Sergeant-Instructor Allen, the Chairman remarked that it might possibly be thought strange that an instructor should he allowed to compete for a prize, but he begged to say it was by the unanimous wish of the men that he had done so.— Lieutenant Minty next gave ‟The health of Mr. Light, the hon. secretary,” of whose attention to the interests of the corps he spoke in terms of high commendation.—Mr. Light responded.—Ensign Soames gave ‟The honorary members,” coupling with the toast the name of Mr. Elkington, who in acknowledging the compliment, gave some original lines suited to the occasion, which caused great merriment, and called forth a suggestion that Mr. Etherington should be forthwith installed poet laureate to the corps.—Mr. Cross gave ‟The health of the visitors,” coupled with the name of Mr. Porter, of Hucksholt, who briefly responded. The Chairman next gave ‟The health of Serjeant Instructor Allen,” which called forth rapturous applause from all parts of the room, showing most unmistakably the estimation in which he is held by the men. The toast was briefly responded to, after which Ensign Soames gave ‟The Serjeants of the Corps,” to which Serjeant Caplin responded. The Chairman gave ‟The Petersfield Cricket Club,” with the health of Mr. Underdown, who acknowledged the compliment. Mr. Stowe proposed ‟The health of Lieutenant Minty,” who briefly responded. The Chairman then gave ‟The health of Ensign Soames” which that gentleman suitably acknowledged. Mr. Light gave the closing toast of the evening, ‟The Ladies,” which was responded to by Mr. Curtis. The toasts were interspersed with songs, glees, &c., and the evening was spent in a most convivial and agreeable manner.