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could be desired, but, to make it of use, it must be trained and organized. The latest returns show the forces to be as follows :— Permanent Artillery and Submarine Miners .... .... 196 Volunteers. Cavalry .... .... .... .... .... .... 700 Mounted Infantry .... .... .... .... .... 105 Naval Artillery.... .... .... .... .... .... 1,250 Garrison Artillery .... .... .... .... .... 170 Field Artillery .... .... .... .... .... .... 576 Engineers .... .... .... .... .... .... 169 Infantry .... .... .... .... .... .... 4,721 Tola! .... .... .... .... 7,887 In addition to these, there are 2,412 cadets. Permanent Artillery and Submarine Miners. Are a fine body of men, well drilled and instructed, and, with more gunpractice, will be capable of fulfilling their duties. An officer should be appointed to command. The guns, carriages, store-rooms, and magazines in their charge are in good order. It will, however, be difficult to keep this force efficient, on account of the smallness of its numbers and its scattered condition, but this might be obviated by amalgamating it with the permanent forces of the Australian Colonies, and form one "fortress corps," for the service of the guns and mines of the different works for the defence of the Australasian Colonies. Volunteers. I have had little opportunity of forming an opinion of the condition of the Cavalry, but the corps which I have seen are well mounted, and presented a creditable appearance. Their services would be of greater use if they were drilled and equipped to act as mounted infantry. The force of Mounted Infantry is very small. It should be considerably increased, because it is essential that the different field forces should have a proper proportion of this most important arm. The term " Naval " Artillery is a misnomer, as the majority of the men have never served afloat, or in any occupation directly connected with the sea. They are, in fact, chiefly garrison artillery dressed as seamen. The men are of good physique, and looked well on parade. To make them efficient they require gun-practice, as a considerable proportion have never practised with the guns they would have to serve in time of war. Their numbers are largely in excess, as, including the Garrison Artillery, only 670 officers and men are required. There are only 170 Garrison Artillery, and I had no opportunity of seeing them at their guns. Their duties are much the same as those of the Naval Artillery; and they should be amalgamated with them so as to have one corps responsible for the service of the guns and submarine mines. There are 576 Field Artillery, but, as only 360 are required, they should be

Cavalry.

Mounted infantry.

Naval Artillery.

Garrison Artillery.

Field Artillery.

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