BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH, Iv 



6349. But still I suppose that that would facilitate his acquisition of a knowledge of field 

 fortification ? — He would very likely find opportunities of learning that in garrison, where there 

 are engineer officers quartered. I would have district instructors, but not battalion instructors. 



6350. You would be inclined to organize your system of instruction at the great military 

 stations rather than in a regiment 1 — Yes. 



6351. Do you think that that would be unpopular in the armyl — No, not if confined to an 

 officer's military instruction ; but any thing savouring of a schoolboy going back to school would 

 be very unpopular. On the contrary, 1 think that what I have suggested would be popular. 



6352. You have stated that you would not make attendance at lectures, for instance, or at 

 the rooms of these instructors, compulsory 1 — I would make the knowledge compulsory, to be 

 ascertained by examination. 



6353. Your opinion would be considered by the Commission very valuable, not only as to 

 the subjects taught, but more especially with reference to the application of such a system as 

 you have indicated to India. From your acquaintance with military life in India do you think 

 that there would be any difficulty in extending to India the same system as you would be 

 inclined to recommend for this country^ — I think not. Generally speaking, the troops are 

 more or less collected together in stations. It is many years since I left India, but I believe 

 that since then the troops have been more concentrated, not so detached as they were in 

 my time. 



6354. And your notion would be that the station instructors should be taken from officers 

 belonging to the scientific corps ?— Yes, and from the staff and from regimental officers if 

 holding certificates of qualification. 



6355. In fact, wherever you could get them 1 — Yes ; and you could always get them at 

 the stations. 



6356. At what age would you like to see officers coming into the army'?— At 16. I think 

 that it would be better if their military training was entirely commenced in the army ; they 

 might be treated as cadets in the army for the first year, without the authority of officers 

 but as supernumeraries. I should like them to have the military training of a battalion as soon 

 as possible. 



6357. Then you would be very much opposed to the idea which has been advocated by 

 some witnesses, namely, the establishment of a large military college through which all the 

 officers of the army should be passed"? — I should not object to that if you could maintain the 

 proper discipline and authority which you have in military schools abroad. 



6358. You have a large acquaintance with foreign countries where that system of military 

 education principally prevails ; and from what you know, without presupposing a very intimate 



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