The rifles sent to Hongkong for repairs do not represent the entire local stock of unserviceable arms, however, for although the 8. V.C. armoury has improved very much in the last two years, owing to carefal supervision and the acquisition of some 400 new rifles, few hundred more are necessary to put the arm-stand in a satisfactory, condition then 100 new rifles " year would be ample to maintain an efficient standard. Much could be done, moreover, by O.
units if periodical inspections of arms were more nent.
'A growing desire is shown for Volun-be! teers to be supplied with match barrels at their own expense; for where they have to compete against Outporta and Ports to the South, naturally a wish is felt to possess the best weapons possible, To ensure this it would be neces ery for the 8.V.C. to procure the barrels at wholesale prices, and a supply of refitting tools, which the armoury does not now possess. The cost would be about $20 each for the best pattern government-viewed barrel. Higher results also might be obtained by the use of a first-class brand of ammunition, such as Eley Bros. 303 Velopex. which carries " 150 grain bullet and gives a muzzle velocity of 2,900 fect per second. Bat while every effort should be made to equip Volunteers with the best rifles and ammunition procurable, uniformity must not be lost sight of; otherwise there would be developed a small section of marksmen who would romp away with all local events and destroy the general interest in competitions.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.