goes out this evening to Lord-Lieut. Of counties, empowering them to accept the services of Volunteers Corps; but it appears to me that it is much on the principle of offering ‘nothing a day, and find yourself’. I believe they intend to furnish accommodation, however, but certainly not arms. The proposed scheme appears to be only an enlargement (or contraction) of the Militia system, and will hardly apply to our proposed Rifle Corps at Hastings. What I should strongly recommend is that we at present confine our plans to rifle practice as a club and that we endeavour to make ourselves efficient shots with a view to the future. No more manly amusement could be devised, and it may be to the advantage of our country in the long run. Our fathers used the bow to some purpose, and it may be that their sons may get an equal efficiency in the arm of the 19th century. My heart is warmly in it.”
The chairman, in his remarks, said he thought the Government circular extinguished the hopes they had entertained. So far as the volunteer principle went, he feared there was an end to it. All the circular said was, you shall have 24 days drill in the year, and we will not find you any arms. It was hardly possible for trademen(sic) and others to leave their business for eight days three times a year. If a thousand men were to be found in Hastings to be equipped at £7 each, it would mean seven thousand pounds, and to raise such a sum by private effort was out of the question. He believed the whole arrangements of the Government were intended to suppress all voluntary effort; and he would suggest to go on with the club and move the local authorities. Their members, he believed, were both with them in the matter, and would forward the opinions of the meeting to the Government. They might organise the club and petition Government to modify the regulations. Mr. W. Ransom moved a provisional committee for the desired revision. As regarded the circular, his first impression was that the Government intended to insult them, but on thinking the matter over, it struck him that they had done all they could have done. The War Department could not give a new Act of Parliament, but they had conceded something by granting permission for the formation of a volunteer club, while they waited for the decision of Parlia-
