PETERSFIELD.
Agent—Miss DUPLOCK.
GRAND FIELD-DAY OF THE 12TH HANTS.—The right and left divisions of this Rifle Volunteer Corps met for parade in full uniform on the practice ground, on the south side of Butser Hill on Thursday last (Coronation day). A more suitable spot for military evolutions, especially for rifle practice, could scarcely have been found in the county. Helmington Bottom debouches on the turnpike road about mid-way between Butser Hill and Gravel Hill, extending inwards with a slight curve towards the north for nearly a mile, and terminating in a lofty slope, which presents a perfect safeguard against accidents from firing. The time appointed for meeting was three o’clock, at which time the two divisions, from their respective head-quarters at Petersfield and Horndean, arrived, with exact precision, reaching the spot almost at the same minute, the former led by Captain Chawner, commanding-officer of the corps, attended by Ensign G. Seward, and the latter by Lieutenant Sir W Knighton, Bart., attended by J. T. Kirkman, Esq., surgeon to the corps. The visitors had begun to assemble at an earlier hour, and by half-past three the numbers amounted to between 400 and 500. Among the élite of the company we noticed particularly the equipages of the Hon. J. J. Carnegie, Fair Oak; Hon. Mrs. C. Wyndham, Rogate Lodge; Capt. Hugonin, Nursted House; Mrs. Askew, Broadbush; Watson Askew, Esq., Pallinsburn; Hon. ⎯ Denman, Burton Park; R. H. Payne, Esq., Bordean House; J. M. Smith, Esq., Stodham House; Sir W. Knighton, Bart.; Mrs. Toombes; G. E. Coryton, Esq., Liss Place; the Misses Hawker, Myrtle Farm; Rev. E. Ward; H. Sawyer, Esq.; S. Seward Esq.; H. G. Metcalfe, Esq.; J. Silvester, Esq.; R. Gale, Esq.; J. Barnard, Esq.; &c. &c. The Horndean band was in attendance, and contributed greatly to the life and spirit of the proceedings by playing in excellent style several appropriate airs. The men were first formed in separate divisions, and put through a series of movements by their respective officers, under the general direction of Sergeant-Major Allen, after which they were united into one company, and went through a series of evolutions, which they performed with a precision and accuracy that was highly creditable. It was a subject of general remark that, considering that their rifles had only been supplied to them the day before, their manner of handling the weapon was very expert and soldierly. Sergeant-Major Allen displayed his usuaI steadiness and energy on the occasion, and Captain Chawner’s almost ubiquitous supervision kept everything well up, and the whole passed off most satisfactorily. The weather, too, considering what it has been of late, was particularly favourable. The shops throughout the town were closed for the day.