ENROLMENT AND EQUIPMENT. 1/7 be required had tendered their services to command the proposed battahon of infantry, and there was great enthusiasm among the men of the Permanent Force when they heard that they would probably be sent out, while from the recently-organized force of tlie naval artillery volunteers a large number came forward to offer their services.

On Saturday, the 14th, Mr. Dalley, with two of his colleagues, were present at a banquet at Burrowa given by the electors to their member, Mr. Slattery, and it was on his return journey that he received a telegram from the agent-general. This telegram, which had been sent on from Sydney to meet him, said : " Her Majesty's government accept with much satisfaction offer of your government, upon the understanding that the force must be placed absolutely under orders of general commanding as to duties upon which it will be employed. Force of artillery is greater than is required; only one battery accepted. Transport should call at Aden for orders. If your government prefer the immediate despatch of your contingent the war office does not desire to delay it. Press comment very favourably upon your splendid offer." This message, with those subsequently received stating that the offer had been accepted out of compliment to the colony, and that the queen had personally expressed her high appreciation of the generous and spontaneous offer of assistance from New South Wales to England, sustained the high pitch of enthusiasm already manifested, and not a moment was lost in preparing to select, organize, and equip the men who were to form the expedition from among the numbers eager to be enrolled. There was a temporary difficulty about the uniform of the infantry battalion, which was to be selected from the various regiments in the colony, and therefore presented some differences of appearance.

The Volunteer Force had its own uniform, of course; but the uniform of the Permanent Force, though all scarlet, had various facings, and Colonel Richardson, who was to be in command, was of opinion that scarlet would not be very suitable for active service. It was debated whether a telegram should be sent to England for uniforms; but these matters always come right if Vol..- IV. 68