COMMENDED ESSAY, 1 899. 
423 
are very many matters which it is essential for a gunner to know. 
The subjects with which he has to deal admit of division into two 
classes. First, general subjects which he must know. Second, special 
subjects which it is desirable that he should know. 
The young officer on joining should have a six months’ course in 
the general subjects; he should then be sent to a company for two 
years and after he had time to see in what direction his tastes lay, 
he should receive a further six months’ course in a subject which he 
would himself select. 
Essential The subjects which are essential will readily suggest 
Subjects. themselves:— 3 
Drill and knowledge of imparting it. 
Elementary knowledge of Interior Economy, Military Law, Siege 
Works, Guns, Ammunition, Range Finding and Laying, 
specias The special subjects can as a matter of convenience, 
Subjects. be divided into five classes : — 
(1) Position finding, electricity and telephony. 
(2) Siege artillery and theory of gunnery. 
(3) Steam, mechanics and moving heavy guns. 
(4) Chemistry and ammunition. 
(5) Identification of ships and theory of coast defence. 
First course. To go into matters more fully. The first six months’ 
course would come directly after the course at the Academy. During 
this course the young officer would learn to drill with all natures of 
guns and further he would be made to drill his comrades, and he would 
be taught how to impart instruction. This is a subject which is at 
present totally neglected. 
He would be lectured on the “ Queen’s Regulations,” interior 
economy and military law. The lectures would be few and given 
chiefly to direct his reading, and for theoretical knowledge in these 
subjects he would have to read, and be examined in what he had 
read at the end of the course. Practical knowledge can however, only 
come with experience. 
He should see heavy guns mounted and dismounted under fairly 
easy circumstances and favourable surroundings. 
He should handle siege guns and be sent on range to see and record 
the results of their fire. 
The knowledge of the composition and handling of ammunition is 
a thing which is taught at the Academy and very little extra would 
be needed. 
He should be taught the theory and practice of Depression Range 
Finding so as to be able to take ranges, but not to go deeply into the 
subject. 
He should be taught how to lay and how to instruct and examine a 
squad of layers. 
After the After six months he should be made to pass an ex- 
First course. animation and his armament pay would depend on his 
success. At the end of the course we should have an officer who 
woudd be of use in any company; one who could take a squad and 
instruct it; who would make out a satisfactory report if sent on range. 
