One of the weak points in the volunteers (it is so still) was talking in the ranks, and this was met in this corps by a fine of 6d. on any individual so doing whilst the company or squad to which he might have been attached were drilling. At a later period this fine was reduced to 3d., and the sergeant of the section to which the man belonged was made responsible for enforcing the rule.
It may not be out of place here to introduce a balance sheet showing what the expenses of this corps were from the date of their first formation, December, 1859, to May, 1860. Experience and the class accepted made these expenses less than usual.
10TH CORPS WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
Statement of Receipts and Payments up to 22nd May, 1861.
| Receipts. | Expenditure. | ||
| £ s. d. | £ s. d. | ||
| Honorary Members' Donations and Annual Subscriptions | 285 17 0 | Preliminary Expenses: Printing and Advertising,&c., before the acceptance of the Corps, from 6th Dec., 1859, to April 2, 1860 | 11 9 5 |
| Donations from the Public | 86 4 0 | Appointments (Accoutrements and Cap for each Member of the Corps), the same being the property of the Corps | 63 12 2 |
| Effective Members' Annual Subscriptions | 100 0 0 | Uniforms for Band, Bugler, and Drill Instructor (the property of the Corps) | 39 16 6 |
| Three months' interest on £150 deposit | 1 6 3 | Rifle Stands and Racks, Aiming Boards, &c., for Corps (the property of Corps) | 13 17 3 |
| Various Expenses in swearing in, the Salisbury Band Hire, Ringers, &c. | 20 2 3 | ||
| Cleaning Arms one year (ceases now, as each Member takes charge of his rifle) | 24 6 0 | ||
| Practice Ranges and Targets, both at Warminster and Codford | 61 9 4 | ||
| Drill Instructor's Pay, &c., at Warminster and Codford | 74 7 6 | ||
| Band Instructors | 32 14 0 | ||
| Bugler's Boy (one year) | 10 0 0 | ||
| Ammunition Account | 41 0 3 | ||
| Printing and Stationery | 16 10 10 | ||
| Carriage of Rifles, Ammunition, and Stores | 5 5 3 | ||
| Postal Expenses, Use of Town Hall, Gas, Delivering Notices, and Miscellaneous Expenses | 22 10 0 | ||
| Balance in hand of Treasurer | 36 15 8 | ||
| £473 7 3 | £473 7 3 | ||
| ========== | =========== |
By this it may be seen that the sum expended in establishing this corps was not very far from £500; and the writer's experience leads him to think that very few corps comprising administrative battalions of volunteers throughout the country were established for much less.
Latterly the subscriptions from effective members were lowered, and altogether abolished in 1871.
It is not presumed that this corps were more enthusiastic in preparing themselves for the defence of their country, were it invaded, than others in the country. Drilling, if not a delight, was certainly a duty, and most honestly carried out. The following orders for the week ending 30th June, 1860, taken from the Company Order Book, will give a fair specimen of the really hard work which all undertook to perform, and as a rule absolutely did perform:—