COMMENDED ESSAY, 1892 . 
613 
where observation of fire can be practised with petards. In spite of 
all this, the preliminary training of batteries for Okehampton must be 
got through, somehow, by the end of May. Something must be done ! 
It would seem possible, for instance, to send the batteries of a"divi- 
sion each to some place five or six miles from barracks, with orders to 
start from thence at a given time, rendezvous , advance up the Common 
into the preliminary position, and come into action. The men like an 
outing on a fine morning, and the horses would be hardened for the 
march to Okehampton or manoeuvres at Aldershot. It would also 
clear the Common of three batteries for the greater part of the morn¬ 
ing ; and a march past and inspection, after such a trial, would test 
the condition of the horses, the fitting of the harness, aud the way 
the kits are put on, much better than if the batteries had just turned 
out of stables. 
A narrow platform across the top of the Common, north of the 
Camp stables, might be metalled and gravelled like a barrack-square. 
It would not be more unsightly than the maneges. In this way many 
fine mornings in winter could be utilised. Two or three guns, with 
their limbers and wagons, might be dropped there, while the horses 
were being exercised on the roads, and their detachments given much 
profit in laying (both direct and with auxiliary marks), handling of 
ammunition, and general duties. Signallers and range-finders could be 
exercised under the eye of an officer, and instruction given in the use 
of the telescope and Scott’s sights. The position lends itself to all 
this, and also to firing with blank, while petards might be puffed on 
the barrack-field to teach observation of fire and height of burst:. 
The officers could acquire the habit of lucidly describing targets to be 
laid on ; and men would learn, not only to pick them up quickly, but 
to lay on the very targets they would find in the field, as constant 
opportunities occur of laying on the guard mounting, exercising order, 
or a regiment or battery route marching. Short courses of N.-C.O.’s 
could thus be taught everything, as well as at Shoeburyness, with the 
exception of actual firing with the service charge. 
These are mere suggestions, made with all deference, but deliberately 
put forward as instances of the direction in which the Regiment must 
move if Fire Discipline is to be secured. 
Drill Sheds. 
It would be an economy to build drill sheds, well lighted, and with 
lecture rooms, containing models and drawings of the guns, carriages, 
aud ammunition, in our large stations. Money is wasted, because time 
and energy are squandered through the want of them. At Woolwich, 
a constant stream of some 2000 young fellows is passing through the 
depots to service batteries. The means of training this body are 
absolutely inadequate. In every battery there are a few men genuinely 
anxious to get on, and interested in their profession for its own sake ; 
in a largo' station there may be many such. They form a valuable 
nucleus ; but, at present, too little encouragement is given to voluntary 
efforts. The advantage of a place where they could examine models, 
read up manuals, and practice signalling or firing with Morris tubes. 
