4 
This innovation involved the construction of 200 feet of passage way, but the 
extra trouble in this respect was amply compensated for by the whole of the Mess 
premises being available for supper and sitting out. Owing to the Ball taking 
place so late in the year the Mess garden could not be utilised at all, but the ever 
vigilant committee took advantage of the season to obtain a number of maple 
branches from the woods and construct a series of sitting out places with them in 
a building that is used on ordinary days as a “ Cordage store.” The glorious 
autumn tints on the maple leaves looked lovely, and made popular sylvan retreats 
for couples not dancing. A number of spruce tops were also cut and brought in 
from the woods round the North-west Arm, and, being stuck in tubs, materially 
assisted the decorations, and saved a large florist’s bill for palms and plants. The 
ball-room, passages, &c., were lighted by the incandescent electric light, hired for 
the occasion. The music was supplied by the band of the 1st Battalion Leices¬ 
tershire Begiment, kindly given for the occasion, and an electric bell, manipulated 
by the bandmaster, rang in the different rooms when another dance was about to 
begin. 
The new organisation of the Garrison Artillery was introduced here on 1st 
November. At Halifax it is unique compared to any other station, as this is the 
only place in the whole regiment where three batteries have been amalgamated 
into one company. One of the results is that we lose six company officers—a 
Major, a Captain and 4 Subalterns—a very serious matter in a small command. 
The supernumerary officers have been disposed of, so far, as follows—Major 
Hervey to Guernsey, Captain Fell promoted to Shoeburyness, 2nd Lieut. Barnes 
transferred to Dover, and 2nd Lieut. Low to Jamaica. The re-organisation, as 
far as the new No. 3 Company is concerned, can only be partially carried out at 
present, as one of the batteries which is to compose it (No. 23) is still at St. Lucia, 
and will not be relieved until March, 1892. As soon as it arrives here Major 
McDonnell’s Battery, which is still at Halifax, will proceed to Devonport, there 
to be amalgamated with what was Major Lowther’s Battery, to form the new No. 
17 Company. The new District Staff at this station is not crowded so far, as 
only two gunners have joined it up to date. 
On 26th October a 12 hours mobilisation of the regular troops forming the 
garrison of Halifax took place. The test would have been a much better one had 
the Militia also taken part, but they are, unfortunately, under the orders of a 
Commander-in-Chief of their own, and not under the G.O.C. British Troops, who, 
in peace time, has no control over them. On this occasion the “ regulars ” 
manned the harbour forts and threw out out-posts on the land side. Two move- 
able batteries, one of six, the other of four 9-pr. R.M.L. guns paraded. Each 
gun was drawn by four local horses, obtained on requisition, and driven from the 
box by a civilian driver. The horses were attached to limbers by a wonderful 
system of ropes, chains and swingle-trees, known as “ local draught,” designed to 
suit the private harness, and necessitated chiefly by the absence of long traces. 
The officers drew horse hire for the day, the gun detachments marched on 
foot. Their comrades, the Royal Engineers, were conveyed to the out-posts in 
great style in four-in-hand hired char-a-bancs, the R.E. Officer taking the box 
seat. 
The year now coming to a close has been a good one for sport. Major 
McDonnell secured a fine specimen of a bull moose, whose head is now mounted 
and in the Mess. We will give the details from the Mess “Game Book” (a 
handsome volume presented by that Officer himself) which supplies a great want, 
and gives descriptions, statistics, expenses, photographs, &c., of all the shooting 
and fishing in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and other parts of Canada. This is 
the entry about the moose : “ Cumberland County, N.S. In a bark camp made 
by Indians; 19th September, 1891. Called at daylight. No answer. Started 
after breakfast for Barn Hills’ Camp. After going a mile met fresh tracks, 
crept up to within 50 yards of a bull, cow, and two calves, too thick to shoot and 
