SCIENTIFIC OFFICERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 780, 11 February 1887, Page 20

SCIENTIFIC OFFICERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZSALAND MAIL. Sir, — It must be a great satisfaction to those who take an interest in military affairs to notice the splendid body of men that compose our Permanent Artillery and Engineers. As regards physique and intelligence they are quite equal to those of the Imperial Scientific Corps, and with a sufficient number of such men properly trained and disciplined a commander “ could go anywhere and do anything. ” But now comes the question of officers. “ Scientific corps ” require scientific officers, and without such the corps will become but little better than infantry. As we have no means in the Colony for the training of officers for the scientific branches of the service, I trust that the Defence Department will (if they have not already done so) apply to the Horse Guards for the services of, say, one major, one captain, and three lieutenants of Artillery, and one captain and two lieutenants of Engineers, these officers to be taken from the active list and seconded for the usual period (five years I think) for service in the Colony. A gunner cannot bo made in a month, and 1 do not think a man is considered to be a really efficient gunner under three years’ training. lam prepared to admit that to obtain first-class officers from Home will be expensive, but the. Colony cannot expect to have the nucleus of an army without paying for it.—l am, &c., Übique.