PETERSFIELD.
Agent—Miss DUPLOCK.
ENROLMENT OF THE RlFLE CORPS.—On Saturday last there was a general muster of the members of this corps for the purpose of ‟swearing in.” Having assembled in front of the Dolphin Hotel at three o’clock, they were speedily got into marching array by Sergeant Whiting, who headed them to the Town-hall, preceded by the Horndean band, playing, in their usual excellent style, ‟The British Grenadiers.” At the hall the following magistrates were in attendance—Hon. J. J. Carnegie, Sir Jervoise C. Jervoise, Bart., M.P., Sir W. Knighton, Bart., and Geo. Forbes, Esq. There were also several other influential gentlemen present. The Hon. J. J. Carnegie was unanimously requested to take the chair, on the motion of Sir J. C. Jervoise, seconded by the Rev. J. M. Sumner. The secretary read the rules of the corps, after which the chairman administered the oath of allegiance to 63 members. The secretary then read a letter from the War Office, conveying her Majesty’s acceptance of the service of the corps, under the title of the ‟Twelfth Hampshire Rifle Volunteer Corps,” and authorising the appointment of one captain, one lieutenant, and one ensign, pursuant to rule 4 which provides that enrolled members shall nominate gentlemen as commissioned officers to be appointed by the lord lieutenant, subject to the approval of the Queen. Mr. Cross nominated, and Mr. J. Mortimer seconded, Captain Edward Chawner as a fit and proper person to fill the post of commanding officer. The proposition was received with enthusiastic cheers, and every hand was held up in its favour. Capt. Chawner (who had just been sworn in with the other effectives) now came forward, and was received with deafening shouts of applause. He briefly but warmly thanked them for the honour conferred upon him, and remarked that the proximity of the district to the coast, and to one of the principal naval and military depots of the country, invested it with considerable importance, and rendered it incumbent upon them to get into harness with as little delay as possible. He hoped within a month to see them in full uniform and regular practice. The nomination of the other officers was postponed till the first Thursday in May, when a meeting for that purpose will be held at the Ship and Bell, Horndean. Votes are to be admitted by proxy on this occasion. The next business was the election of a secretary. The Rev. T. Field expressed a wish to resign, but his past indefatigable exertions were so highly valued by the corps, and the wish for his continuance in office was so warmly expressed, that he consented, and was accordingly unanimously re-elected., The rules of the corps provide that the council shall consist of three officers, with three effectives, and three appointed—Sir J. C. Jervoise, Bart., Rev. J. M. Sumner, and Mr. Gale (honorary), Mr. S. W. Seward, Mr. Minty, and Mr. J. Mortirner (efective). The thanks of the meeting were warmly accorded to the chairman, who, in acknowledging the same, took occasion to congratulate the corps on their having elected as their captain a gentleman who was not only locally connected with the district, but who also possessed the all-important qualification of being an experienced soldier. He concluded by proposing three cheers for the ‟12th Hampshire,” which was heartily responded to. Captain Chawner called for three cheers for the chairman which were also given in right good English style. The business of the day having been brought to a close, Sergeant Whiting again got his men together, and put them through a series of evolutions in the Market-square, after which they marched in quick step to the Red Lion Hotel, where they spent a convivial evening.