THE VOLUNTEER RETURNS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2178, 17 February 1881, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER RETURNS.

(The War Offi-o rut'iorities havo now made k> the u! rt-tun Bof tho volnntetr furce at i.'»' <s|iraiou of tho cfß'jjal y*ar 1579-80, which clcse:! on October 31et. During the pait mason the general attendances at iniip-clioris havo nbown a Blight riiminution, trhltth w»s led to the belief that thore would be a falling off in the number of efficients, and this turns out to bo the caae, though not to any great extent. There are now 196,901 volunteers of all ranks and arms coming under that category, against 197,485 on the last day of October in 1879, or a decrease of 584. By the alterations in certain regiments, the maximum establishment of the force has fallen from 245,185 to 243,546, while the enrolled strength has risen from 206,250 to 206.401. The percentage of efficiency, it will be seen, has thus slightly decreased, the undesirable item of non-efficients rising from 8765 to 9509. As already foreshadowed, the number of officers is reduced by 41, falling from 5586 to 5545, while the certificated proficient sergeants show a riio from 11,825 to 11,850. One of the worst features of the return is the number present at inspection, whioh was 174.646 in 1879, and only 172,464 in the present year. These figures have already called forth some strong remarks frost some of the officers commanding districts where they havo been most prominent, and it is to be hoped they will be remedied in the future.—" Times."