RATE OF PAY AND STRENGTH OF FORCE. 1 79 time the infantry had been disbanded, and two more batteries substituted.

The arrangements for the despatch of the expedition were commenced in earnest on the morning of Monday, February 16. The staff officers Lieutenant-colonel Christie and Captain Mackenzie were in attendance at the regimental and brigade offices, and received many applications from persons desirous of serving with the expedition. The office was thronged by volunteers, officers of all grades, ex-volunteers, retired members of the imperial forces, and civilians anxious to tender their services; and the whole atmosphere of the place was warlike from morning to night. In the course of the morning 13 officers, 10 non-commissioned officers, 6 buglers, and 100 privates had been enrolled. A great many men who had formerly served in the imperial army proffered their services, and no less than 16 of these registered their names with the 1 st Regiment. A man who had served 22 years in the imperial service, had been with his regiment in India, and held the honourable rank of colour-sergeant, registered his name and expressed his great desire to serve in the New South Wales force. Another soldier, who had served 17 years in the Cameronians, offered his services.

The question of remuneration was considered at a cabinet meeting held in the forenoon, and the following rates of pay were fixed: — Married men, 2s. 3c/. daily pay, and 2s. gd. per day deferred pay, or made payable to the wife, making 5.9. per clay pay, with allowance to the wife of 2S. per day, and 6d. per day for each girl in the family under 16, and 6rf. per day for each boy under 14.

Unmarried men were to receive 2s. $d. daily pay, and 25-. gd. deferred pay, which might be made payable to an order to parents or friends. These were the payments to gunners in the artillery and privates in the infantry; other ranks were to be paid in proportion, at rates to be subsequently notified. This scale, it will be seen, is far above the rate of pay given to the ordinary British soldier; but then it must be remembered that the men of New South Wales who volunteeer for this service are of a class vastly superior to the "Tommv Atkins" class of the British line. It was arranged