The Commander-in-Chief.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2089, 24 January 1896, Page 3

The Commander-in-Chief.

Viscount Wolseley took over the duties of Commander-in-Chief of the British Army on the Ist November. The following 1 order by the retiring- commander. the Duke of Cambridge, was issued from the "War Office the previous day. signed by Sir Redvers Buller, Ad-jutant-Genera!:— "Field-Marshal his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., relinquishes to-day the duties of the command of Her Majesty's army, a post of honor and distinction which he has held since July 16, 185t>. His Royal Highness has for nearly fifty-eight years held Her Majesty's commission, and he now severs his connection with the active duties of his profession with the deepest sorrow and regret. In relinquishing these duties his Royal Highness desires to place on record the obligations he Is under to all general and other officers who have so uniformly and ably assisted and supported him in maintaining the army in the hig-h state of discipline and efficiency for which it is distinguished, and he desires to express his deep sense of the admirable conduct, both in the field and in quarters, invariably displayed by officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the active service over whom he has so long presided, ness's command of the army has been one of great changes. The abolition of purchase, the introduction of short service, of the territorial system, and of improved arms and equipments have all teen materially assisted In theirdeveloptnent bv the cordial co-operation of all ranks of the officers of the army. The militia have been brought into closer connection with the line, the yeomanry have becorn" tar more efficient, and the , Institution o. He volunteer force in 1859 marked an im epoch in the ex-' pansion of the (Wfenslve resources of the Empire. By constant attention to their duties, and the desire to perfect themselves in practical knowledge of the military profession, all the auxiliary forces, including the volunteers, have ' become a valuable portion of Her Majesty's army. "In India, also most important military changes have been effected, commencing with the amalgamation of the late East India Company's troops with Her Majesty's army in 1860, since which time great changes have been arrived at in many details connected with the army of India, concluding with the recent reorganisation of the Presidential armies into one command under the control of the Commander-in-Chief in India. In bidding the army an affectionate farewell, the Duke of Cambridge feels assured he Is handing over to hlg able and distinguished successor a force of which Her Majesty the Queen a&4 the Empire at large may well be proud, and he assures the army and the nation that though relinquishing his active duties his interest and his devotion to the service will continue to the end of his