MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 83, 7 April 1900, Page 5

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

SYDNEY, April G

Two hundred and fifty remounts have been shippe... by the Medic for the British army in South Africa. Altogether over 4,000 have ben pnr-

chased in the colony

WELLINGTJN, Friday

The Minister for Defence desires it to be known thai it is in the interest of those obtaining commissions that their parents should be in a position to supplement thr'r pay by not less than £50 per annum until obtaining captain's rank. In fact, from information received, by the Minister for Defence, it seems as if £100 per annum will be required for that period for those joining field artillery. The time for receipt cf nomination;: has been extended from April 21 to April 27. . '

(V correspondent suggests that the inactivity of our forces probably is caused by loss of horses from sickness which is terrible if it attacks in that' part of Africa. If you will notice he continues, that some time ago the Queenslanders were obliged largely to serve as infantry, nnd that remounts have lately arrived in Bloemfontein for General French, also that when the Waiwera arrived in Capetown all mounted men were ordered at once tc the front, If this suggestion 1« right, it Is

easy to suppose the loss of horses ; ■would be kept quiet from, the enemy if possible.