THE BRITISH ARMY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 318, 30 April 1877, Page 4

THE BRITISH ARMY.

The Home cecmpotutettt of the .Dmty Tv/Hm writes as follows : In and* critical times as the present, the condition of our military defences is naturally a topic of lively interest, and, accordingly,, the Army Estimates- are heing more closely scanned than ttsxtal. Their grand total i» over 14§ millions sterling, made as follow*: Regular ferees £4.,s^V-W> Awariliary and reserve »To. ... l.2tK>.B*)o Commissariats stores* etc. ... &.28(v4W> Work* and WH'ttings &».*«*> Education* administration* etc. ... 434.3C0 Nen-Hleetive services (pensions. etcr.| * !..St>4.SM> £l<t,s3S,~oU As compared with the preceding firmsmnJyearv this total shows- a decrease- of 1T42.0©®,, which is chiefly dne to> an nnexpeettd larger contribution frotn India, and * decrease in the tjttanttty of warlike naval atcves required. Tue total nwnvher of olßcw* and men proposed t© he voted— the staft" of the Brigade depots— J* 133 v *20* oeing 836 more than dttrinsr th» but financial year. In the regimental number, Itowever, there is a- decrease of

965. On the whole, the condition of the army at the present time is believed to be unusually good, recruits pouring in with a freedom long unknown. In consequence of this, the standard of height for the Royal Engineers has been raised, and great changes in the Royal Artillery are rumored. Nevertheless, desertions are far too nwnerour, so that at Chatham the severest measures are now taken in dealing with such cases. A scheme has also been published whereby great changes will be effected in the " territorial regiments," snth as the Black Watch, Gordon Highlanders, &c. It is alleged that the adoption of this scheme will cause difficulty in respect of the tartans worn, as it would cost a Highland officer from LIOO to Ll5O to get a new kilt, if transferred to a twin battalion. To get over the difficulty, it is suggested that all should be empowered to adopt the Hunting Stuart tartan.