The GLIO Site

     VOLUNTEER INSPECTION.—On Thursday the 3rd battalion Hants Rifle Volunteers, comprising the 7th, 8th, 12th, 17th, 20th, and 21st companies, numbering 277 men of all ranks, under the command of Major Warner, were inspected at Botley Hill, by Lieutenant- Colonel Hon. W. J. Colville, who arrived on the ground at three o'clock, and was received with the usual salute. After a very close inspection of the men's arms, accoutrements, uniform, &c., the men were put through the manual and platoon exercises. Afterwards the various movements incidental to a field day were gone through. At the close of the inspection, the inspecting officer, addressing the battalion, said he was very much pleased with the way the various movements had been performed, and only in a few instances had any "rustiness" been shown, which was partly due to men who had been detached to equalise companies. He was not given to compliments, but he must give credit when due, and as regarded the inspection generally, he thought they had improved from last year when he inspected them at their own head-quarters. He knew the difficulty they experienced in meeting for battalion drill, and would impress upon them to attend their company drills regularly, and they would then find but little trouble at any time when they met together. He was sorry to find fault with the condition of some of their rifles, in fact two or three were the dirtiest he had seen this year, and he hoped this would be remedied in future, as a man who would not keep his rifle clean was quite unfit to be trusted with one. Addressing the major, he said he should be able to make a satisfactory report of the efficiency of the battalion. Major Warner then called for three cheers for the Queen, which brought the inspection to a close. The following was the field state :