4 
HALIFAX, 1V.S. 
Two handsomely framed and mounted photographs of Rocky Mountain scenery 
have been presented to the Mess. They are said to be the largest photographs in 
America, having been taken with a large camera, holding 48 by 20-inch plates, 
which the Canadian Pacific Railway had made to order for the express purpose of 
photographing the grand and illimitable scenery along their line. 
On 10th March a concert was given for a local charity at the Academy of 
Music, under the patronage of General and Mrs. Montgomery Moore. All officers 
attending were ordered to wear uniform. Colonel Anstruther made his musical 
debut at this station, singing an Italian solo, which was encored. 
There are now three R.A. officers who sing in the surpliced choir of the Garrison 
Chapel on Sunday evenings—Colonel Anstruther, Captain Lushington, and Lieut. 
Everett, I.O.M. 
The closing of the skating season was marked by innumerable rink parties and 
hockey matches, which were continued well on to the middle of April, even when 
the ice was covered with an inch of water, for wet ice, though bad falling, is good 
skating. The R.A. and R.E. gave a rink party on 5th April, at which a diversion 
was created by two little bear cubs—only seven weeks old—being introduced and 
handed round for inspection. The King’s Regiment gave another rink party on 
11th April, which was the last of the season. The hockey matches always created 
great interest, especially among the fair sex; the sides included every possible 
combination of Military v. Civilians, and Military v. Military—the local Athletic 
Clubs, Bankers, and North-West Arm generally proving too formidable opponents. 
Those officers of the R.A. who played in these matches were Colonel Anstruther, 
Captain Lushington, Messrs. Marsh, Elliot, and Mackenzie. An unusual event, 
in‘the shape of a ladies’ hockey match, took place at the Rink one day, but it was 
played with closed doors, and men were not admitted, so, like some of the Evan¬ 
gelist Mills’ 1 addresses, it was for “ women only.” 
On 25th March Lieut. Marsh returned from his five months’ leave in British 
Columbia, where he has been roughing it on his brother’s claim, and seeing some¬ 
thing of life and travel out west in the United States. 
On 1st April Captain Duffus succeeded Captain Boileau in his appointment as 
Adjutant R.A. in British North America, which the latter has held for five years. 
On 14th April Lieut. H. M. Elliot went home on four months’ leave. 
On 19tli April Captain and Mrs. Lowe and Miss Haddan went home via 
Montreal and New York, much regretted. Captain Lowe’s tour of foreign service 
at Halifax has only extended over 10 months. Before leaving he was entertained 
at dinner at the Mess and the customary gun fired. He goes to join the Instruc¬ 
tional Staff at Golden Hill. 
On 23rd April an interesting military event occurred in the departure of Lieut. 
H. W. Gordon and 21 N.-C.O.’s and men of the R.E. for Esquimalt to construct 
the fortifications there, this small party being the first soldiers to cross the con¬ 
tinent by the Canadian Pacific Railway. They were played to the station by the 
drums and fifes of No. 3 Company, Western Division, R.A., which have recently 
been organised by Captain Lushington, and under his energetic supervision at¬ 
tained great efficiency. Lieut. Gordon is a son of the late General Enderby 
Gordon, R.A., and a nephew of Chinese Gordon, the hero of Kartoum. 
SIIEEKNESS. 
There have been many changes lately. No. 18 Company, under the command 
of Captain P. H. M. Dorehill, has left for Shoeburyness, and No. 19 Company, 
1 A man of some notoriety who has been holding a religious revival at Halifax lately. 
