A NOTE ON THE GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1892. 
711 
rison 1 parades from the 15th of March to the 15th of April, and off 
all garrison parades from the 15th of April to the 1st of May. It was 
not so much a programme as a system which was in the writer’s mind 
in submitting his proposals in the Essay. Each Battery Commander 
works out his own programme, but what seems essential is that at the 
beginning of each drill year as soon as the furlough season is over, 
and not till then, his battery should be placed absolutely and undividedly 
at his own disposal for a period of one month, during which time there 
should be no calls made on it for reviews, field days, inspections, or other 
work by any superior officer. It is further proposed on the lines laid 
down in the Essay that at the end of the month the Brigade-Division 
Commander should have his three batteries equally at his unrestricted 
disposal for a period of a fortnight. 
These six weeks of preparatory instruction form the first part of 
that “ connected course of instruction extending throughout the year ” 
referred to in the Essay, and which has been made the subject of 
comment by Colonel Brough. What should follow afterwards is not 
now in question. 
1 What interferes with systematic battery instruction at the beginning of the drill season are 
superior parades requiring previous preparation which breaks in on current work. The employ¬ 
ments do not constitute a serious difficulty. The proportion of employed men who are not 
available for the annual course is small. They are generally old gunners who would not be taken 
for the practice, and who, if necessary, could be temporarily relieved by drivers. One N.-C. 
officer and three gunners would have to be found for the regimental guard once in three days by 
each battery in turn, but with this exception the whole of the N.-C. officers and men could be in 
their places. 
