THE " SPECTATOR" EXPERIMENTAL COMPANY.
[To THE EDITOR Or rug " SPECTATOR." J trust that you will pardon my imposing so often upon your kindness, and allow me to say a few words about the Company Sports at which we were honoured by the presence of H.R.H. the Princess Alexandra of Teck.
Punctually to the very stroke of 12.30 noon the Prince and Princess arrived in camp, being received with a Royal salute. The Company was then inspected, and having marched past, performed a few movements in extended order. A couple of lance-corporals next displayed their proficiency as drill instructors, and the men were then dismissed. The Princess inspected the barrack-rooms, saw the men at their dinners, and lunched at the officers' mess. The sports commenced at 2.15 p.m., and owing to the large number of entries continued until after 7 p.m. We had spent three hours on Thursday evening running off preliminary beats, yet were unable to complete the entire programme on Friday. The various events were keenly contested, and we hope that H.R.H., in spite of the long time she was detained, did not pass an altogether unenjoyable afternoon ; at all events, she won completely one hundred and twenty hearts,—Staff, recruits, and fatigue men. • Next week, on July 3rd, " Omdurman Day," the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers have their regimental sports, and in addition to admitting our men to the "mile race open to the garrison," have most generously offered them a special prize to be competed for in a mile race run in " drill order." Six men per section—i.e., twenty-four in all—will face the starter. Of our musketry practice I will add nothing now to what I have previously reported. Next week I shall be able to state the Com- pany average, and the number of qualified "marksmen," of whom
I hope to have about twenty-five.
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