BRITISH ARMY STATISTICS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 204, 22 May 1908, Page 8

BRITISH ARMY STATISTICS.

Englishmen .form tho vast majority of the 232,154 non-commissioned officers and men on the regimental strength of the British Army. . 'This not generally recognised fact is showii-by the report'just issued on tlio British; Army for the year ending September 30,. 1907. A table of nationalities is given which shows the following figures:— • England- ... .... .... 178,240 ' ■ Wales... ... 3,588 Scotland ... ' ... 18;129 ■ Ireland ... ... ... 22,836 ■ India or colonics ... ... 9,014 ■ British subjects in foreign ■' countries ...' • ... ... .'• 248 . • Foreigners ... . ... • 25 Not reported ... • .74 Total ... ... 232,151 For the twelve months under review the number of rccruits' who-joined the Regular Army, excluding nxmlisted men and those' for. colonial corps, amounted' to 34,916, and for Militia to 28,575. These figures show a decrease for the Regular Army of 1494, as compared with tho previous twelve months, while tho totaj for tho'-Militia shows a failing off of 1,57/ The total strength' of the Reserve is 125,370, as compared with 110.596 in- 1906, 94,770 in 1905, and 74,940 in 1904. During the year 31,044 soldiers left tho colours with characters entitling them to registration for civU employment, and it is known that 24,179 found employment. During the past year 58,764 men were medically inspected, and no fewer than 17,685 wero reiected by the doctors. In 1906 there wero 21,923 rejections out of 65,128 inspections, arid in 1905 \ the numbers wero 65,752 inspections and 24,798 rejections/ It will bo seon, /therefore, that while the rejections on medical grounds have, decreased during the last three years, the ratio to those inspected—3o.o9 per cent.—is-still very largo. The experiment of sending recruits to local dentists for treatment has proved so satisfactory that it has been decided to extend the system, " and funds have been specially provided. A considerable percentage of recruits who would otherwise have boon lost to the service haveibeen enabled' to enlist in consequence.

Tho Star of Newtown Lodge, No. 24, 1.0. G.T., held their twenty-third anniversary concert in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, on Wednesday. Bro. Geo. 'Petherick, Grand Secretary, presided. There was an excellent attendance of members and visitors. Bro. Geo. 'Petherick, in opening, briefly outlined tho work of tho lodge during the past-twonty-threo years.. An excellent programme was rondored, and greatly enjoyed bv everybody. S Items were- given by Misses Ellis, R. Green, E. Lossic, Linda Henderson, Ida' Driver, F. Taylor, Master Alan Ilornblow, Messrs. J. Sharp, E. Walsh, J. D. Clemonts, A. P. Levin, H. Henderson, Turrall, A. Grcsswell, and F. W. Taylor. Tho programme also included a couple of humorous sketches.

All members of the Wellington Rugby Union, selected to train' for the match against the British team are requested to meet for practice to-day at 8.30 a.m. Non-attoudcrs vr'ul. iiot be sskcted.