OFFICE WORK OF A GARRISON BATTERY. 
65 
clothing ledger (see para. 163). At the end of the month all the men’s 
books are again inspected to see that the issue is complete, the attendance 
of the men being checked either by the Pay List or by the nominal roll, 
and their presence being insured by the plan described in para. 72. 
A list is made of any men not fitted from being on detachment, in 
prison, etc., and this is attached to the ledger for after reference. 
For marking, see R.A. Orders 79 of 1876, pages 18 and 19, and 
A.C. 15 of 1880. 
109. When the October issue is practically completed, the boots 
that were issued the previous October are called in. That issue has 
completed its term of wear, but the Major may alloAv any men to 
retain their boots a year longer if they like. The best plan is to call 
all in to be examined, and to let any man have his boots back if lie 
likes; this insures their being in existence, and most will be given 
up willingly as useless. The receipt of each pair is entered in the 
clothing stock book, and in the detailed account. It is well after this 
has been done to attach to the ledger, or insert in a page of the stock 
book, a list showing the names of each man who received the original 
issue (in October 1878 in this case), and what has become of each pair, 
whether returned into store, taken away on transfer, or on discharge, 
or left in possession. This may save much trouble hereafter, unless 
a detailed account (para. 171) is kept. Boots made away with should 
be specified (see para. 168). 
110. The fitting and alteration of the April issue take some time, 
but if begun too soon much of the work done may be rendered useless by 
men being transferred away. The duty men are first fitted, employed 
men, corporals close to promotion, etc., being left to the last. Enough 
men to give the tailor about a week’s work are sent to the store and 
fitted according to their sizes shown in the size roll (para. 26), the 
clothing being if possible arranged in bundles according to size. Each 
man gets his patrol jacket and annual trousers, and if entitled thereto, 
his tunic and biennial trousers, goes to his room, dresses himself in one 
suit and parades before the Major, first with, then without his waistbelt. 
The tailor marks on the garments the alterations ordered by the Major, 
the Pay-Sergeant notes the required alteration in a book, ihe “ alteration 
sheet,” kept for that purpose. As soon as one suit is fitted the man 
dresses himself in the other, if he has one, and parades again to have 
that fitted. 
111. The faults of the clothing, as well as ideas as to what looks 
well, vary from year to year, but it will always be important that the 
man should have plenty of room for his chest and throat. The older 
men will generally take care that they are at least comfortable, but 
young soldiers are apt to try to get clothes too tight for them to march 
and work in. The old mistake, that a foot soldier ought to have his 
trousers loose round the ankle, is now pretty well exploded. 
112. After the first fitting it ought to be certain that the suits issued 
