Annual Inspections.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3165, 10 April 1879, Page 2

Annual Inspections.

THAMES SCOTTISH BATTALION

The annual inspection of Nos. 1 and 2 Companies Thames Scottish Battalion was held at the Academy of Music last evening. 150 all told, including band, were present on parade, under Major Murray, Capt. Watson, Lieuts. Dey, Brownlow, and Johnston. The battalion was drawn up in three companies with a squad of recruits in the rear, in the body of the Hall, while the band under Bandmaster Hunter occupied the stage, and discoursed sweet music at intervals. The gallery was crammed with spectators, evincing the great popularity of the Scottish Companies with the public. In a prominent position in the Hall a number of handsome prizes to be presented during the course of the evening were exhibited. The companies were put through some preliminary movements, and at eight o'clock were formed at ope a order .to receive the Inspecting Officer, Colonel Lyon, who was accompanied by Colonel Fraser, Hon. Colonel of the battalion, Mrs Fraser, and Hon. Surgeon Kilgour. As the Colonel and party entered the hall they were received with a general salute. The Inspecting Officer then proceeded through the ranks, and subjected each man's arms, dress, and accoutrements to a minute inspection, and with the instinct of an old soldier he was able at a glance to distinguish a recruit, through some inaccuracy in his dress. Major Murray then exercised the men in some battalion movements, which, with the small space at their disposal, were well executed. The leading company also went through the firing exercise in a highly creditable manner. Captain Watson then, at the request of Colonel Lyon, put his company through the manual exercise. Officers were called to the front, and were put through the sword exercise by Instructor Hyman, after which Mr flyman (who is an old Hussar) went through the cavalry pursuing exercise. Several young shots in the No. 2 Company were then called to the front and presented with prizes by Mrs Fraser as follows:— Vol. Penk, a fish stand and globe, and medal; Vol. Lawlor, a medal (these two medals were gifts from Captain Watson); Vol. Grey, a silver teapot, books, and money prize; Corp. Griffin, books; Vol. White, pair of pictures and 50 rounds of ammunition; Vol. Cochrane, 100 rounds of ammunition; Yol Puckey, 251b oatmeal; Yol Lawlor, mosaic cup. After the distribution of prizes Colonel Lyon addressed the men. He said that it was four years since he had had the pleasure of seeing them, and since that he had heard a good deal about them. Though he did not wish to flatter them he must say they drilled well; their arms were clean, and he would report favorably of them to the Government. He noticed they copied the uniform of the 93rd, who had been neighbours of his. He had belonged to the 92nd. If he said they were as good as the 93rd he would not be strictly adhering to the truth; but he must say, during all the time he had been in the colony, be had never seen anything nearer approaching the regulars. It did his heart good to see them. He regretted he would not be able to accompany them to Hamilton, as he had to go on before to make arrangements. He then impressed the men with the necessity of strict discipline on the line of march, and spoke to them also on the matter of saluting their officers. Col. Fraser called for three cheers for the Inspecting Officer, which were heartily responded to, after which, headed by the band, the battalion was marched to their drill shed and there dismissed.