3 
R.A.I. “DUNCAN” PRIZE ESSAY, 1892. 
The Secretary lias received Essays bearing mottoes :— 
“ Cascable.” 
“ Certum pete finem.” 
HALIFAX, NT.S* 
The event of greatest importance during the past month was naturally the Duke 
of Clarence’s death, the announcement of which was received at Halifax by all 
classes with profound regret, and called forth universal expressions of loyalty and 
sympathy shown in many ways. Owing to the four hours difference in time be¬ 
tween London and Halifax, the contents of the cablegram giving the sad news 
became known, as it were, before the time at which the Duke expired. Later in 
the day an official cablegram was received from the Adjutant-General, and imme¬ 
diately after that the Royal Standard was hoisted half-mast over the Citadel. 
Vessels entering the harbour had the intelligence first conveyed to them by the 
sight of this sad signal, and replied by lowering their own ensigns. Outward 
bound vessels from England took it to mean that Prince George of Wales was dead, 
as he was the one who was ill when they sailed from home. The same day (January 
14th) the following cablegram was despatched to Sir Francis Knollys, “ Please 
convey to Their Royal Highnesses—deepest sympathy—Officers Royal Artillery 
and Royal Engineers at Halifax, Nova Scotia,” and next day was received an 
answer “ Thanks for kind sympathy,” which was as gratifying as it was un¬ 
expected. No regimental parties or mess entertainments were given by the R.A. 
and R.E. until after 26th February. 
On the morning of the day of the funeral (January 20th) a memorial service 
was held at the Garrison Chapel, which was largely attended by both military 
and civilians. Though the attendance was purely voluntary, every officer and 
man off duty in the garrison was present, irrespective of the Church to which 
they belonged. In the afternoon Major Brady’s Company fired 60 minute guns 
from the 9-pr. R.M.L. Saluting Battery on the Citadel Hill, the last gun being- 
fired precisely at sunset when the “ Retreat ” sounded, and the Royal Standard 
at the Citadel and the Union Jacks at the out Forts, all at half-mast, were struck 
simultaneously. It was a cold day, with a N.E. wind, and snow on the ground, 
so officers and men wore Canadian winter dress, which made them and the guns 
against the snow-covered glacis, look appropriately sombre and in keeping with 
the sad honour for which they had been selected, and such, it is hoped, as may 
not be required of them, nor of any other Company in the Regiment for many 
years to come. 
Major Crookenden and Lieut. Boger, with that portion of No. 3 Company 
(late No. 23 Battery) now at St. Lucia, are to arrive at Halifax about the middle 
of March in the hired transport s.s. “Atlas,” which will then take half No. 17 
Company (late No. 17 Battery) to Devonport. They are going home at “ present 
strength,” with the following officers :—Major McDonnell, Capt. Yunge-Bateman, 
Lieuts. Stuart and Johnston, 2nd Lieut. Lyddon. 
The weather at Halifax has been more seasonable lately, and for the last three 
weeks we have had continuous frost and snow bringing with them all the welcome 
winter amusements. “Runners” instead of “ wheels ” have been the order of 
the day, and the merry sound of sleigh bells is to be heard from morning to 
night. Nearly every afternoon Major McDonnell, in his well-appointed tandem 
and fur-robed sleigh, is to be seen starting from the R.A. Park for a drive round 
the Point Pleasant Park. The snow has been deep enough for snow-shoeing, but 
