THE NATIONAL RESERVE.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Siu,—The following extracts from "the quarterly statement" issued by the Captain of the Weybridge Company of the Chertsey and Egham Section of the Surrey National Reserve

will interest your readers.—I am, Sir, &c., Z.

1. In addition to 6 officers and the chaplain the Company has now an enrolled strength of 40 N.C.O.'s and 124 men, classified (in

accordance with the National Reserve Regulations 1911) as follows :—

Class (1)—under 9,5 years of age ... 121 Average age 34A years.

„ (h)—between 45 and 55._ 30 49 „

„ (01)—over 55 years of age 1367 „ The average age of Classes (i) and (ii)-151 men—is 36 years and 8 months.

Oat of a total of 171 members, 62 reside in Weybridge, 7 in Oat. lands Park, 58 in Walton, 30 in Hersham, and 14 in Cobham.

2. Seventy-six members have attended rifle practice (with miniature ammunition) at the Outlands Range, and have fired 6,363 rounds between them. Of this number 2,731 rounds have been issued free. The best shot is Sergt. W. B. Young, who on two occasions has scored eight bull's-eyes in succession—the

highest possible to make. 3. Drills have been held weekly, either at the Drill Shed in Jessamy Road, Thames Street, Weybridge, or (by kind permission of the Walton Urban District Council) on Half-way Green, Walton.

4. Church parades were held at St. Mary's, Oatlands, on May 12th, 1912, and at St. Peter's, Hersham, on June 30th, 1912,

both being well attended. The next parade will be at St. James's, Weybridge, on Sunday, September 15th, 1912, on which occasion

members will assemble at St. Mary's Road (Oatlands Drive end), at 10.15 a.m., wearing badges, medals, and equipment. The pro-. posed open-air service has had to be postponed until next spring. 5. The first annual inspection, in conjunction with the Chertsey and Addkstone Companies, took place on Half-way Green, Walton, on May 29th, 1912. Lieut.-General Sir Edmond Elles,.G.C.I.E.,

B.C.B. (Chairman of the Surrey Territorial Force Association), was the Inspecting Officer. On that day the Company attained its full strength of 150 members, and its appearance and move. ments upon parade created a very favourable impression. Mr. Ernest Woolley very hospitably entertained Sir Edmund Elles Sir Edward Stern, Major H. W. Hanghton, and Captain C. W. Holmes to dinner at "Collingworth," Walton, prior to the inspec• tion, thereby testifying in a practical and acceptable way his appreciation of the National Reserve movement.

6. I greatly regret having to record the sudden death, at the age of 62, of Corporal Henry Ray, who formerly served in the Hampshire Regiment, and possessed the Afghan War Medal. He was one of our most active members. On the 15th inst. our comrade was buried at the Weybridge cemetery with full military honours, three volleys being fired over his grave and the " Last Post" sounded. We have further lost 11 other members-2 having been discharged; 4 transferred to the Addlestone Company ; 3 have emigrated; 1 has left the county; and 1 has resigned.

7. About two-thirds of the members of the Company have already attended parades, and it is hoped the remainder will make a special effort to be present at some of the drills and rifle practices, so that we may get to know each other. The best records have been made by Corporal Stedman with 39 attendances (the full number), Corporal Greenaway with 38, Captain Holmes with 34, and Private Dittrich with 33.

8. Twenty-one members have introduced 77 new members amongst them. Private Alexander (Hersham) heads the list with 16 to his credit, and Sergt. Stedman (Cobham) comes next with 13.

9. On the 3rd inst. we received from the military authorities, "upon long loan," the first issue of Lee-Metford rifles. Arrange- ments for shooting with these at Bisley will be made next year.

10. I am of opinion that the Company, as regards numbers, efficiency, and the quality of its members, is a credit, not only to the County of Surrey, but to the neighbourhood in particular, and that with adequate local support it should be able to maintain its position as second to none amongst the various units of the National Reserve, which already numbers some 120,000 men, who are no longer liable for service, but are willing to render assist- ance in time of grave national emergency.

CHARLES WALKER HOLMES, Captain, Surrey National Reserve. Commandant, Weybridge Company.

"Arlington," Oatlands Park, Weybridge.

July 20th, 1912.

We trust that this most interesting report will receive the careful attention of all thoughtful men, soldiers and poli- ticians, who are now awakening to the meaning and possibilities of the National Reserve. It will make them realize what a living and inspiring thing a company of the National Reserve is when properly handled, as we believe it usually is ; for nothing can exceed the devotion shown by the officers of the Reserve. Once again we ask, "Is it possible that the nation will throw away this great military asset although to preserve it will cost a far less sum than is muddled away each year in bureaucratic ineptitudes P "—ED. Spectator.]