4 
The conditions of 1891, which were not sufficiently varied in 1892 to affect 
the comparison, were as follows : — 
All batteries of Horse and Field Artillery in India to compete, except those 
which arrived from England in relief. 
Target—Six wooden targets each (6' x 6' x §") in line. 
Ranges—Unknown at two positions with common and shrapnel shell, but to 
be within the following limits :— 
12-pr. B.L. 
9-pr. R.M.L. 
1st Position 
between 
3600 and 2900 yds. 
2800 and 2300 yds. 
2nd Position 
between 
2800 and 1800 yds. 
1800 and 1400 yds. 
(2200 and 1500 yards in 1892). 
3rd Position with case shot—About 300 yards. 
The battery to be drawn up 5 miles from the target, the position of which is 
unknown to the Commanding Officer, advance at a trot 2-§- to 3 miles under the 
guidance of a Staff or other officer, halt and prepare for action, then advance to 
the first position approximately pointed out by the Greneral or other officer com¬ 
manding at the station, come into action and fire a total of 18 rounds. 
After replenishing ammunition, repairing targets, &c., the battery to advance 
at a trot to the second position, to be pointed out as before, and proceed as at 
the first position. Then advance (Horse Artillery at a gallop, Field Batteries at 
a trot) to 300 yards from the target, halt and fire six rounds of case shot. 
Ammunition—Common and shrapnel, 36 rounds in all, proportion of each and 
nature of fuze being left to the Commanding Officer. Case shot, 6 rounds. 
Lodges and throughs only counted. 
The number of hits, time taken, the number of bullets in shrapnel of 12-pr. 
B.L. compared to 9-pr. R.M.L. (viz., about 4 to 3), and the manner in which the 
practice was carried out are considered* in awarding the prize. 
The following remarks are taken from the Greneral Orders, Simla, 4th June, 
1892:— 
“ The Commander-in-Chief is much gratified at the very satisfactory advance 
made on previous years. Ten batteries have exceeded the highest score of last 
year. 1 
His Excellency also notes with satisfaction that the 12-prs. are at last taking 
their proper place on the list (due in part to the use of service ammunition, but 
also to improvement in fire discipline), and that there has been a very decided 
advance in the shooting of the Royal Horse Artillery. 
In point of time taken in action, there is also an improvement (twenty-one 
batteries being under 20 minutes against 8 last year), but slowness is now the 
chief fault. Lord Roberts considers that with proper training the time taken 
in action at the three positions should not exceed 15 minutes, and every exertion 
should be made to attain this end.” 
In 1891 there were only five 12-prs. in the first 20 batteries. 
In 1892 the first nine are 12-prs., and there are only seven 9-prs. in the first 
20 ; but on the other hand nearly 20 per cent, more batteries are equipped with 
the 12-pr. gun in 1892 than in 1891. 
In 1891 the quickest time was 16 mins. 4 secs, taken by a battery placed last 
but five on the list; in 1892 a battery much higher on the list, consequently 
making better shooting, took only 12 mins. 2 secs. 
In 1891 the average time of the first five batteries on the list was 25 mins. 
39 secs. ; in 1892 it is 20 mins. 15 secs., but, as noted above, the Commander- 
1 Irrespective of the number of hits by case shot, which this year have not been taken into 
account, 
