25 AUGUST 1860, Page 10

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CADETS FOR THE INDIAN ARMY.

Bombay Pkesidency, 18th June, 1860.

Sut—The system now in force which directs that Cadets for the Indian Army on their arrival in this country should be attached to Line or European Regiments for a period of six months, with the object of their receiving instruction in an elementary course of drill, has been found practically to be attended with some drawbacks. A batch of these young officers join the head-quarters of an European regiment, and, the limited period of their stay with it having expired, proceed to their different regiments. Their places are at once occupied by others similarly circumstanced. For their especial instruction, some being more advanced than others, squads are formed and paraded at stated hours daily. This duty, apparently endless, becomes harassing to the private soldier in a tropiml climate ; and these continued elementary drills for officers not belonging to the regiment, upon whom he looks as strangers, and in whom, therefore, he takes no interest, become distasteful to him. The time of the Adjutant is taken up which might be given to his regimental duties without increase of pay ; and if in addition to the two compa- nies undergoing annual rifle instruction, other companies should be absent on detachment, leaving the head-quarters weal/ in men, many of these must escape battalion drill. The mess loses much of the social pri- vacy for which heretofore ft has been distinguished ; since cadets who now become only its tempotary members cannot share the strong feeling of bro- therhood which in most regiments binds their officers firmly. Might not these young men be attached to depots at home for these six months, and then be sent out to their several regiments ? • A Varnaser.