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now, however, been resuscitated, and (as I have already reported), the officers and men were complimented at the Parade on the Queen's Birthday by Major-General Cargent, R.A., for their efficiency and soldierlike bearing.
They are drilled to assist the Royal Artillery in the Batteries, and in the working of a few mountain-guns, but they have only 33 old Snider carbines, lent from the Military Stores by order of General Cargent, who, on every occasion, shows a patriotic desire to improve the defenses of the Colony, and to cooperate cordially with the Civil Government.
The enclosed Requisition, one from Colonel Crawford, R.A., is for one hundred and fifty (150) Martini-Henry carbines, (with accoutrements) of the same pattern as those used by the Royal Artillery." It appears that there are no arms of this kind.
A similar Requisition was transmitted by Mr. Marsh in his despatch No. 264 of the 6th December ultimo; but no notice has hitherto been taken of it. This is a necessary provision for several obvious reasons and also in order that the Colonial Government may always be able to purchase.
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En672
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