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sition in the House objected to anything like perma nency in the appointment. There was a strong feeling against anybody outside, and that feeling is increasing daily (3586-3590). The lower classes, with whom, in fact, the whole political power rests, would view with objection any person coming in from the outside.

The volunteer force might be organized upon a much better footing than it is at present. The whole system is in a very imperfect condition. The force is useless for any defensive purpose, and the money spent upon it is almost wasted (3606, 3635-3637), There is a disinclination to spend money, and although the Colonies would generally spend as much as they can afford, in Queensland, the want of money is much felt (3606-3609).

There was great alarm in the Colony at the time of the Russian scare in 1878. There was a strong popular feeling, and plenty of disposition to fight, but nothing was done beyond what Sir W. Jervois recommended (3579-3581). There is little probability of Queens- land being attacked. Unlike Victoria and New South Wales, there is nothing to get in Queensland. More- over, the river leading to Brisbane is so difficult to navigate, that it would be almost impassable if the buoys and beacons were taken up; while the Barrier reef protects the greater part of the coast (3610, 3615, 3643, 3644).

The question of defence has been the subject of bitter party warfare in Queensland. An effort on the part of the Imperial Government to come to an under- standing with the Colony on the measures which should be adopted permanently would have a great effect, and would be spported by many of the upper classes (3591-3593). There is a great tendency in Queensland to follow the example of the other Colonies. If Victoria and New South Wales decided to make a contribution of money towards Imperial defence, Queensland would do the same, provided her funds admitted of it. Whatever is done by New South Wales will be imitated to a great extent by Queens land, for the reason that many of the most influential merchants in Queensland are New South Wales' men (3625-3633).

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Naval Defence. It is questionable whether the money now being spent in Queensland on defence is well applied. The Colony maintains a steamer, which is continually engaged in going up and down the river, and a schooner, of about 250 tons, running up to the far north. Both ships are expensive, and are useless for defensive purposes.

Sir A. Kennedy suggests that, in lieu of these two vessels, the Colony should get two gun-boats like those built in England for the Chinese Government. These vessels could do the whole colonial work without increase of expense, and, together with the volunteers, would be sufficient to defend Brisbane against any probable attack (3633, 3634).

Coal and Trade.-The distance of the nearest coal mine from Brisbane is 60 or 70 miles. Other coal

mines are double that distance. There is railway communication the greater part of the way (3611- 3614). Beef, mutton, and wool are the great staples of trade. Sugar has been exported during the last two years, but sugar-growing is dependent upon cir- cumstances which may any day change. White labour would be of no use. Polynesian Islanders are em- ployed, but the mortality among them is very great, and amounted in 1879 to 85 per 1,000. Chinese would do well, but they will not accept the low wages given to Polynesians (3616-3624).

June 10, 1880. Major G. J. AIREY, New South Wales Artillery. Permanent Artillery.-The permanent artillery, com- manded by an officer formerly in the Royal Artillery, is organized in three batteries. The men, who are eulisted for five years, are in every way equal to the men in the Imperial Service (3658–3660, 3675). The numbers are not fixed by Statute. In 1879 about fifty men were taken off. When there was thought to be a

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likelihood of war, the numbers were raised up to 100 gunners per battery; this year they have been reduced to eighty per battery. When the force was originally raised, it consisted of one battery of artillery and two companies of infantry, numbering 175 men. The latter were in existence only two years, and were abolished by a vote of the House (3670-3674). The officers are nearly all men who have retired from the Imperial service (3676, 3750, 3751). Retired Queen's officers adapt themselves readily to the conditions of colonial service, and there is no jealousy of them in the Colony. On the contrary, there is every disposition to put them in command, and to make full use of their professional knowledge (3753-3756). Nothing further is required except a good gunnery instructor sent out from England and changed every few years (3752, 3768-3774). No examination of officers on first appointment has been required up to the present time. The proof of having passed an examination for the Imperial service has been considered sufficient in the case of ex-Imperial officers, and in other cases the officers have been chosen from the volunteer forces of the Colony. No promotion is allowed without an examination of the standard laid down by the Queen's Regulations (3677, 3678). Of the non-commissioned officers, some are men who have served in the regular army, mostly in the Royal Artil- lery. Such men are easily obtained, and are preferred if of good character (3679-3682). Non-commissioned officers receive pay at rates varying from 3s. 2d. to 6s, a-day. Gunners get 28. 3d. Rations and clothing are given in addition. The ordinary rate of wages in Sydney is from 8s. to 10s. a-day (3683–3686). Most of the men serve the five years for which they are bound, but about 12 per cent desert. Many, after serving their five years, go into the police, or obtain other Government employment (3687-3696).

The permanent force are placed by the Colonial Act under the Imperial Mutiny Act, which comes out every year, and is immediately published by a general order of the Governor in his capacity of Commander-in-chief of the Forces, and from that time remains in force until the next comes in. It is not a matter with which the Ministry would interfere. Any alteration would have to be effected by a Bill in Parliament (3661-3669).

Volunteers.-The whole of the volunteers are under one regulation. They are called out for continuous training six days in every year. The artillery go out with the permanent artillery in the batteries, and the infantry go into the barracks which originally held the Imperial troops (3697). The volunteers are chiefly drawn from the labouring class; comparatively few clerks and shopmen come forward (3779-3781). They are paid at the rate of 17. per month, which they receive in three equal payments, one for attending a certain number of drills, one for their continuous train- ing of six days, and the remaining third for efficiency at the end of the year. Volunteers formerly received a free grant of land after five years' service. The system was much abused, and was done away with in 1878 (3744, 3745). The system of partial payment has only been two years in force, and has greatly im- proved the whole military organization (3698, 3699, 8704). With the exception of the continuous training and brigade drills, which are held on Saturday after- noons, drills are all at night (3713, 3714). The service is popular, and there is no difficulty in keeping up the numbers, which are limited in peace time, and decided by the House of Assembly (3715-3717). The Mutiny Act does not apply to the volunteers unless called out for service. During the six days' drill they are under the Volunteer Regulation Act (3700-3703). The volunteer artillery are all garrison artillery. Nos. 1 and 2 batteries are nominally field batteries, but have not been drilled with the guns since the new organiza- tion. They have no horses (3705, 3706). The officers are mostly local gentlemen, but there are a few retired Queen's officers among them. A local officer is in com- mand under Colonel Roberts, a retired Imperial officer, who commands both the permanent and volunteer force. The volunteer artillery, though very good for filling up the less important numbers at the guns, are

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