The Assault of Arms resulted in a balance of about £20 for the Rifle-band fund.
An Artillery-Band Concert took place at the Music Hall on the 23rd of January, and proved to be in every sense a success. Everything passed off without a single contretemps, and the large audience of nearly 600, appeared to be more than satisfied with the whole affair. The Band of thirteen performers appeared in their new uniform and played the pieces allotted to them. There was also a string band consisting of Messrs Lyon, Kidd, Stephen, George and Edward Hermitage, and F. French, with Mr. Paine (of the Tunbridge Wells concerts) as accompanyist(sic). There were also as vocalist, Messrs Plant, Newsome, Gough and Lyons, all of Canterbury Cathedral. The concert realised upwards of £40, and after paying all expenses, a balance of £20 was paid into the Bank to the credit of the band fund.
The Muster Roll of the 1st Company Cinque Ports Volunteers at this time showed as effective members one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, one surgeon, one paymaster, five sergeants, one bugler, and 86 rank and file. The official return also showed that all the members were between 20 and 40 years of age.
Naval Volunteers. E. V. Harcourt, Esq., as Capt.- Commandant of the 4th Cinque Ports Artillery, having enrolled a number of sea-faring as a Marine Corps, and got them equipped, dressed and well officered, applied to the Admiralty for a gun-boat to be stationed for a few days a year off the town for the purpose of practising gun-drill on board ship. His application not being granted, Mr. Harcourt wrote again in somewhat spirited terms as follows:-
- “My Lord, - I regret the necessity under which the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty find themselves placed of refusing their countenance and assistance to the National Volunteer movement. It only now remains for me to endeavour to obtain the support of those members of the House of Commons who are favourable to the volunteer movement, to a motion expressing the opinion of the House ‘that it is no less incumbent on the Admiralty than the Horse Guards and War Office to give the volunteer movement its hearty support"
Mr. North, the Borough Member, made application to the Admiralty for the granting of Capt. Harcourt’s request, and was snubbed by Lord Paget, but the prevalent feeling was that if so reasonable a request were not granted, the Admiralty would get snubbed in return, both by the House of Commons and the Press.
The 4th Cinque Ports. This well officered Corps continued to carry out its early promise of efficiency. Corporal Tutt was promoted to a sergeancy, and gunners Hilder, Hunter and Baker were made bombardiers. The following gentlemen were also recommended by Captain Commandant Harcourt for commissions:- T. Brassey, W. E. Lewis, C. E. Dalrymple, and T. C. Leslie, Esquires. At a muster of this corps on the 4th of March, in consequence of the resignation of Sergt How, for the want of time, -
