The principal and most important provisions of the Act are:
That the corps be formed under officers bearing the commission of the lieutenant of the county.
That its members must take the oath of allegiance before a deputy-lieutenant or justice of the peace, or a commissioned officer of the corps.
That it be liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion arising out of either of those emergencies.
That while thus under arms its members are subject to military law and entitled to be billeted and to receive pay in like manner as the regular army.
That all commissioned officers disabled in actual service are entitled to half pay, and non-commissioned officers and privates to the benefit of Chelsea Hospital, and widows of commissioned officers, killed in service, to such pensions for life as are given to widows of officers of Her Majesty’s regular forces.
That members cannot quit the corps when on actual service, but may do at any other time by giving fourteen days’ notice.
That members who have attended eight days in each four months, or a total of twenty-four days’ drill and exercise in the year, are entitled to be returned as effectives.
That members so returned are exempt from militia ballot, or from being called upon to serve in any other levy.
That all property of the corps is legally vested in the commanding officer, and subscriptions and fines under the rules and regulations are recoverable by him before a magistrate.