on half a hundred
subjects ranging from the hygiene of the person to the role supposed to
be played by the cavalry and artillery in a general action. All ranks
were quick at assimilating knowledge. Perhaps the best results were
obtained during the informal talks which took place between officers and
men in the "sit easy" periods. The specialists were given opportunities
for paying greater attention to their own peculiar work, and in this, in
particular, the signallers made great strides. Machine gunners had
facilities for practice at floating targets, which targets were also
used for revolver firing.

The Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers had longer hours. After
parades were dismissed they were often required to attend lectures
dealing with the functions of subordinate leaders. Officers, as a rule,
had a very full day. The personal attention demanded from them in
respect to all matters affecting the welfare of their platoons or
companies, the supervision of the duties necessary for the effective
working of the ship's services and routine, and the study of the
subjects for the following day's instruction, left them little leisure.
Their own education was not neglected. Twice daily lectures were given
in the saloon--usually in the presence of the Brigadier. Lecturers were
detailed in turn and the subjects were varied. On the whole the lectures
were good. A few fell short of what was required, but usually the
discussion which followed such effort made up for any defect in the
lecture itself. Occasional flashes of unconscious humour often saved the
indifferent performer from boring his audience.

Duties absorbed a platoon or more daily. Guards had to be found to
provide sentries to give the alarm in case of fire, accident, or
collision. Police were detailed to see that the orders designed to
prevent outbreaks of fire or disease were observed. Sweepers and
swabbers cleaned down the decks twice in every 24 hours. Stable picquets
looked after the horse deck. Mess orderlies saw to the drawing of
rations, serving of meals, and cleansing of mess utensils. On entering
the tropics the ship's captain asked for volunteers for work in the coal
bunkers. His crew was hard pressed. These volunteers were forthcoming
and for their services received extra pay.

Within a few hours of leaving Fremantle no less than seven stowaways
were found. The first discovered was a small lad, dressed in the uniform
of the military cadets, who said