OKEHAMPTON, 1895. 83 
prepared, there was no official representative of the Field Artillery. It 
appears to me wonderful how things progressed as they did under such 
a system. Of course, as a matter of fact, the Commandant at Okehampton 
did exercise influence during the off season, and there were officers at 
the School of Gunnery who were well acquainted with Field Artillery 
requirements, but it might not have been so. I think we must all be 
agreed how much better itis that the Commandant at Okehampton 
should also be the official representative of the Field Artillery at the 
School of Gunnery, and that the Field Artillery Instructors there should 
be sent every year to Okehampton and Glenbeigh to keep touch with 
the practical part of their work. With the appointment of the “ Chief 
Instructor” for Horse and Field Artillery came the combination of 
all the reports from the practice camps into one, so that those who wish 
for any information as to the practice of the year have only to go to this 
one report. 
The * Instructions for Practice” show clearly the progress made to- 
wards practical work. For many years it was full of special arrangements 
for shooting at practice camps, and elaborate instructions for ranging, 
laying, etc., with not a word about the drill-book. In 1889 indeed 
there is mention of the rules for ranging being given in the drill-book ; 
but this is immediately followed by pages of variations from those 
rules. It is not till 1892 that there is a disposition to really view 
the drill-book as the authority. In that year we are told that ‘ Field 
Artillery Drill is the basis on which practice is to be conducted,” 
strengthened in 1894 to “ Field Artillery Drill is the authority on which 
all practice is to be conducted,” and with this recognition of the drill- 
book as not only a “parade” work comes the natural shortening 
in the Instructions for practice. If we omit the part devoted to range 
parties, filling in of practice reports, description of targets, and so 
forth, most of which is only of moment to the camp staff, there are but 
five pages. From 1888 to 1892 the average was 24! 
Of course, all changes in instructions, drill-books, etc., are an evil ; 
but I think if we are to have any progress they must be recognised as 
a necessary evil, and as I have pointed out all changes have been 
reductions! The drill and hand-books also must require amendments: 
nothing human can stand still without stagnating. The thing to be 
considered is how these necessary alterations can be made as little 
worrying as possible. They used to come out at any time. The pre- 
sent system is that at the end of the drill and practice season a 
conference is held by the Commandant of the School of Gunnery at 
which the Commandants at Okehampton and Glenbeigh are present 
and discuss all points brought forward, and suggest any necessary 
amendments. ‘These, if approved, are published in January, and at no 
other time are amendments made. I think it is of the utmost 
importance that these amendments should only be made once a year 
so that batteries having received them may feel at ease for the year at 
least. So much is this now held that though it was decided early this 
summer that “pricking the cartridge” was to be done away with, no 
alteration will be made in the drill until next January. 
