THE "SPECTATOR" EXPERIMENTAL COMPANY.
[TO TIM EDITOR OP TIID " SPRCTATOR."3
Sia,—Our progress since my last letter was written has con- tinued to be highly satisfactory ; the drill improves apace, extended order and outpost work are advancing with rapid strides, and nearly all the men can send or read, slowly, " semaphore" messages.
On Wednesday. we constructed our first single-lock trestle bridge, with miniature spars, over a convenient ditch. Each section made a trestle for instructional purposes, although we actually set up only one bridge. Simple questions on outposts, advanced and rear guards, &c., bring a chorus of correct answers, and the speed and accuracy of extensions from fours and from behind cover please me very much. After working hours a large proportion of the men practise semaphore signalling on their own account, and from about 6.30 to 0.30 most of them are boxing, fencing, or doing single-stick with great energy and, apparently, pleasure. In a word, the " strenuous life" seems to be very popular. On Wednesday a scratch team selected only the previous day played the 21st Lancers at football, and really did wonderfully well. The 21st played in the semi-final this year for the Cavalry Cup, and yet only beat us by three goals to one. We have, I understand, a good many cricketers, and when the summer comes our Wednesday half-holidays will doubtless bo spent in the cricket- field. A few discarded pads, balls, &c., would be very acceptable if any of our kind friends have such things to spare. The recreation- room, thanks to those whO have so generously responded to my sug- gestion that we should be glad of books, magazines, and illustrated papers, has been kept well supplied. Our unfortunate contractor has been compelled to close the "wet" canteen, as the takings did not suffice even to pay the wages of the man in charge. Beer is now fetched, when required, to the coffee bar, but has not thereby been sold in greater quantities than before. I have had one "prisoner,"—five minutes late for early parade. Also, I am sorry to say that two of the men have been found to have served three years in the Army. I discharged both of them forthwith. Both were very nice lads of excellent character, and one of them begged very hard to be allowed to remain. I have, moreover, been obliged to discharge as "unlikely to become efficient" a very fine-looking young fellow, on of an ex-sergeant-major of cavalry, upon account of defective feet. The doctor duly cast him ; but as the man was said to be a good football player, in spite of a" hammer toe," I rather injudiciously decided to accept him on trial. The vacancies have been filled up without difficulty, and the strength could easily be further increased if we so desired. I think, however, that we have as many as the existing staff can efficiently deal with. We have had visits during the last few days from several very com- petent as well• as distinguished officers, all of whom were highly pleased and interested in what they saw.
—I am, Sir, Sze., A. W. A. PoLLocx, Lieut.-Colonel.
P.S.—I hope your readers will not judge me by what they may have read in some of the newspaper reports. The reporters— with the most kindly intentions—have occasionally succeeded admirably in representing me to be a mendacious imbecile.
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