THE SECOND DIVISION.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 38, 18 May 1917, Page 8

THE SECOND DIVISION.

STRENGTH OF ITS GLASSES.

What most of the people of the Dominion want to know just now is when the Second Division will bo called up, how many men are in the division, and about what date each class of the division may expect its call (says an exchange). These questions cannot bo answered exactly, but they can bo answered approximately, and they are of great importance to all concerned. To begin with, there were originally about 120,000 men in the Second Division. That total has been reduced by tho numbers of married men who have gone to the war. However, the strength of the division should still be over 100,000. Tho numbers of husbands, widowers, etc., of military age (according to the latest available census) are shown in the following table: — Husbands, Age Group. etc. 20 to 21 160 21 to 25 4,640 25 to 30... 22,450 30 to 35 33,450 35 to 40 30,800 40 to 45 26,500 Total 118,000 _ The clasiiication of the division is— A —All men without children. B—Men from 20 to 35 with one and two children. C—Men from 35 to 46 with one and two children. D—Men up to 35 with three and four children. E—Men over 35 with three and four children. F—All men with more than four, children. In round figures the conjugal condition of the married men of military age may be set down as follows: — Children. Men. None 10,000 One 24,000 Two 22,000 . Three 14,000 Four 10,000 It appears that the numbers of men in the various classes are: — Class A 10,000 Class B 30,000 Class C 15,000 Class D 15,000 Class E 10,000

These figures are approximate The next thing is to arrive at about the dates on which the men may expect to look towards Trentham. It seems unlikely that the First Division will be exhausted before the end of this year. There are nearly 40,000 men loft in it. The last draw went to the extent of 8,500. If this rate were maintained the division would survive only about four more draws, which means about four more months. That would take us along to September. Had any move been in the direction of holding a washing-up of the First Division it is possible that the Second Division would not be called up before the end of the year, but the present indications are that while the year will not see the exhaustion of the First Division, it will see the commencement of the Second Division ballots. Reducing the total of the division by about half to provide against unfitness, etc., this will leave the classes at the following strengths:— Class A 5,000 Class B 15,000 Class C 7,500 Class D 7,500 Class E 5,000 If the strength of the drafts is kept at 2300, the dates of the balloting for the various classes of the Second Division may bo set down as follows: — Class A Oct. 1917 Class B Dec., 1917 Class C June, 1918 Class D Sept., 1918 Class E Jan., 1919 Class F Mar., 1919