CO885(1-2) — Page 97

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The remainder, under that age, may be stated at Of these there have been discharged for wounds and mutilations, blindness, or injuries un- fitting them for local service, about And there are ineligible, in consequence of their pensions being temporary and for short periods, about

2,500

++

1,500

Of those who would otherwise be eligible, nearly 1,000 reside at too great a distance to warrant the expense of being brought to head-quarters for enrolment; and nearly

27,300

5,500

Number of Pensioners abroad.

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present establishment of the enrolled companies is 16,857; so that there is not likely at present to be any material increase, unless by extending the selec- tion to Pensioners beyond the age of 55, whose efficiency would be very questionable.

These men, as well as any of the class under 55 who might be available on an emergency, though

not sufficiently effective to be enrolled in local companies, are at present registered as a reserve. Arms and accoutrements, and old great-coats, are kept in readiness for them, to the extent of about 14,000, at the nearest Ordnance Store; so that, in the event of the enrolled class of Pensioners being called to a distance, the reserve could, for a time, supply their places; but from old soldiers, at that advanced period of life, little efficiency could be expected if they were kept up beyond a few days; therefore it seems inexpedient that any

further expense should be incurred for that class.

All the preceding numbers are, of course, liable to constant fluctuations, and therefore the results can only be considered as approximating to the truth. They are sufficiently accurate, however, to give a general idea of the difficulty which would attend further extension of the system.

any

The manner in which the Pensioners in the Colo- nies are made available for local service, and their numbers, are shown in another paper herewith.

The number of Pensioners resident abroad has been stated on another paper at 7,712; they are distributed as follows:--

a like number are kept out of the force as being of wandering habits, or drunken or bad characters; deduct, say in all

1,500

Eligible for enrolment..

21,800

There still remain to be deducted the numerous class who are in public employment, from which they could not be withdrawn for Military purposes; viz.:-

Staff of Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteer Corps Barrack Serjeants, and otherwise in employ of

350

1

Ordnance ..

150

Attendants in Hospitals and Lunatic Asylums. Police

100

750

Turnkeys, Jailers, and Warders of Military or

Civil Prisons

250

In Post-Office, Excise, and Customs

100

Marine Pensioners serving on ship-board, chiefly

as petty officers

200

Governors of Jails, Sheriff's Officers, Masters

of Unions..

100

Employed by Public Companies, Parishes, and

Corporations

100

In other Government or public employ

100

Exempt on account of Public Employment..

2,200

19,600

There are also about the following numbers on per-

manent Civil employment, from which they could

not be withdrawn without the risk of losing it; viz.:-

Porters

1,000

Domestic Servants

750

Grooms

Watchmen

500

Gatekeepers

500

Messengers

Toll-men, &c.

Exempt on account of Private Employment.

2,750

Remain available for Enrolment..

16,850

This reduces the whole number of Pensioners whom it is expedient to enrol to 16,850, while the

Hanover and other countries out of Her Majesty's

dominions

629

West Indies and Western Africa, exclusive of 1,508

Negro Pensioners.

74

East Indies

620

New South Wales and Moreton Bay

502

South Australia

50

Victoria

122

Cape

181

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

560

Mediterranean and other British Colonics

125

New Zealand

674

Van Diemen's Land..

414

Western Australia

239

Falkland Islands

26

Hudson's Bay

54

Canada

3,442

Total

7,712

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:--

C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO