2 
ADE^. 
From the middle of May till the middle of July it was fiercely hot, then for 
seven weeks delightfully cool, indeed, on some days it was cooler here than in Eng¬ 
land, and now it has got hot again. Two Companies are accommodated in the 
New Barracks, which are very fine and large, with institute, refreshment rooms, 
billiard-room, temperance room, library, &c., complete. The barracks for the 
third Company are approaching completion. 
After three years’ continuous hard labour, irrespective of times, climes and 
seasons, there is a lull in armament work; the last regulation shift of a 30, odd, ton 
gun from a barge, up the side of a hill, on to an ordinary Mark VI., hydro-pneu¬ 
matic carriage, has been accomplished in the record time of 2 months 29 days 23 
hours 59 minutes 39f secs., and the smooth-bores, which were plentifully sprinkled 
along the miles of defences, have disappeared, as they are no longer required to 
frighten the Arabs; but though the most advanced inventions and appliances 
are promised; alas ! armament pay is not, much less working pay. 
The failure of the new Oriental Bank has driven some of us to take leave to 
Europe to try our luck with another bank which always pays up promptly in full, 
when you are the right colour; otherwise depositors don’t get even 12s. 6d. in 
the pound. 
The Polo Club was “ at home ” the other day, on the ground, which is seven 
miles from the B.A. Mess, in a corresponding situation to the Neutral Ground at 
Gibraltar. There were about 60 guests, including several ladies and children. The 
Captain of the three-funnelled Bussian cruiser Pamyat Azova, which is in harbour, 
was there complaining that our testing practice shots, in the morning, went very 
close to his ship. Three E.A. Officers were playing; two other playing members 
have just left the station, one for England on leave, the other for India on 
duty, and there are two other B.A. members who play occasionally. Altogether 
we are fairly represented, and hold our own as a rule. If it were not so far 
to go it would be a “ pleasant divarsion.” 
Colonel Bogie stayed with us for a few days, and a golf tournament was got up 
in his honour; only two competitors, both B.A. Officers, defeated him, and the 
honours of the handicap remained with Captain Hon. B. Tyrwhitt, handicap 14 
points, score 58, total 44. The links have been described as one big bunker with 
hazards in between, but this is a libel. After rain, or when the course has been well 
rolled there is a good carry. Lieut. Lethbridge holds the record for the single 
round of nine holes with 48, and 2nd Lieut. Mayne—both of the “ Battle Axe ” 
Company—is one of the next best here. The racquet and lawn tennis courts are 
in good order and fairly well patronised. 
Major Bail ward gave 1000 rupees to start a fund to build a sticky court, and 
a yachting and boating club is to be formed. The voice of the turtle will soon 
be heard in the land, and then the B.A. Mess oyster catcher (he is not a bird, but 
an important official on 50 rupees a month) will show the water picnic parties 
where to go and turn him. 
More than 100 lions have been shot in Somali, land this season. Col. Curteis, 
A.A.G. Bombay, bagged eight in one day, most of which charged; another sports¬ 
man got three, and lost a fourth badly wounded, in one night. The following 
varied bag is Captain ITarkness’ record for four months :—Birds : quail to ostrich; 
he brought back a young ostrich which is now in the Zoo. Beasts, sporting : 19 
digdig, 2 gazelle, 3 Waller’s gazelle, 4 Sommering’s gazelle, 2 hartbeeste, 3 kudu, 
4 lesser kudu, 7 oryx, 10 wart hog, 1 lion which nearly made good his charge, 
but his jaw was broken and no lasting injury resulted, and 1 elephant. Beasts, 
non-sporting: Wild ass, wild dog, hyena, jackal, black-tailed fox. Wanting to 
complete : Panther, klip springer, lynx. 
The journey to Somali land is one night by sea, a camel dak of 40 miles, and 
