SADDLERY AND HARNESS.

The saddlery is in good condition. "D" Division saddles are mostly all double cinchas and are well suited for the work, much more so than single cinchas with which "H" Division is supplied. A number of new cinchas will be required during the coming year to replace those badly worn.

The harness is all in good condition, most of that in possession of "D" Division having been supplied during the year. "H" Division was also completed with new har

ness.

RATIONS AND LIGHT.

The rations supplied by the contractors are good and the issue liberal.

An allowance of cabbage and turnips during the winter months would be very acceptable.

The coal oil received has been of first class quality.

A garden of four acres has been laid out and ploughing commenced so that ations towards the cultivation of vegetables may be started early in the spring. If the garden proves a success it will greatly benefit the different messes.

CLOTHING AND KIT.

oper

The men are now well equipped in the matter of clothing and kit. I would strongly recommend that all articles required for issue during the year should be in store here not later than the 30th June.

The clothing supplied is generally of fair quality.

The members of this command provided themselves with a broad-brimmed hat which is used during the extreme warm weather on patrol duty only. I would recommend that a free issue of similar hats should be instituted.

I would also recommend that the stable clothing be made an annual issue; these clothes only last a very short time, having to be used on all fatigues, patrol duty as well as stables. Many men are forced to purchase on repayment an ample supply of this clothing to meet the requirements of the service.

ARMS, AMMUNITION AND ARTILLERY.

The command is fully equipped with the Winchester carbine and Enfield revolver. The Winchester carbine at present in use is not fitted for the service. I recommend that this arm be changed at an early date for one more suitable. A new weapon has been decided upon for the British cavalry, and as it has been no doubt selected after mature consideration, I would suggest that when new arms are purchased the force be supplied with the same.

Inspector Starnes, in his report on ammunition, says that used at target practice was good with the exception of a dozen rounds or so.

With regard to the artillery branch, our armament consists of two 9-pounder M. L. R. guns, and two bronze mortars, which are in serviceable order, and a sufficient amount of serviceable ammunition for both is in store.

A complete set of harness for each gun is also on hand.

No ammunition waggons have ever been supplied.

INCREASED RATES OF PAY.

All men entitled to good conduct pay during the year have received it in accordance with existing orders.

INSPECTIONS.

The post, stores and command were inspected on the following dates: By yourself on 10th January, 27th March and 31st July; by the Comptroller on 31st July; by the Assistant Commissioner on 27th March and 26th November, and by Inspecting Superintendent Cotton on August 14th. The hospital and medical stores by Senior Surgeon Jukes on the 17th June.

The outposts were inspected regularly by the officers placed directly in charge and by myself on several occasions during the year, and by other officers detailed at uncertain times, as also by the Assistant Commissioner twice during the year, who after each inspection expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the arms, accoutrements and horses were kept, as well as the cleanliness of the men's quarters and camps.

On 13th October, His Excellency the Governor General visited and inspected the barrack rooms, hospital, guard room and stables, and expressed himself as highly pleased with their appearance, particularly with the state of the stables and horses. Assistant Surgeon Fraser in charge here, inspects the sanitary condition of the barracks weekly, and reports result to the district office.

I personally inspect the barracks thoroughly once a week, visiting the men's rooms and mess rooms, besides at uncertain times, and have very seldom found it necessary to find fault.

The orderly officer inspects the barracks, hospital, messes and stables daily; he attends all stables, all other officers noon stables.

Officers commanding divisions inspect their harness and saddlery weekly and kits monthly.

The usual monthly musters of men and horses were held, the horses being numbered and branded as occasion required. The herd is visited daily by the orderly officer, and frequently by Assistant Veterinary Surgeon Wroughton.

DESERTIONS.

The following desertions have taken place during the year :

Most of the foregoing men were of very indifferent character, and some were tempted by the high rate of wages supposed to be offered by parties in Montana.

On account of our close proximity to the lines it is an easy matter for the men to get away and evade arrest. Men who deserted and settled in Montana, wrote to their comrades here giving such glowing accounts of what they were doing, as to induce others to join them, some of whom have, since their desertion, written here stating that if they were guaranteed light punishment they would gladly return.

It has been ascertained that a couple of men freighting contraband whiskey from Montana, on several occasions have induced men to cross the lines with them, merely to make the passage money. I hope to be able to bring some of these parties to justice.

SAVINGS BANK DEPOSITS.

During the year the following amounts have been deposited through the Department in the different banks :

The actual strength of the horses of this command is as follows:

The horses of both Divisions are for the most part of a high class, young and in good condition and free from any serious diseases.

The total mileage of the horses travelled by both Divisions on duty is 352,854 miles.

"D" Division.......

"H"

do

152,210 miles.

200,644

The horses purchased this year for this command have proved a good lot, and well adapted for the work of the force.

TRANSPORT.

The transport is in a fair state of repair.

Nearly all the heavy waggons are constantly on the road with supplies for the different detachments, the wear and tear is very great. Two heavy waggons were supplied this year.

Of light transport I have at present a medium supply; so many small parties going out during the year, a good supply of light transport is a necessity. The light waggons supplied this year appear to be of good material and workmanship.

FORAGE.

The oats supplied by the contractors, which were all grown in the vicinity, have been of very good quality.

The past season was a very unfavorable one for the hay crop and in consequence thereof the price of hay was much higher than last year. The quality of the hay supplied is as good as could be obtained in the district; great care has been exercised in receiving and stacking the hay, and it has been thoroughly salted as put in the stack. The stacks have been in all cases secured by a good fence and protected by fire breaks, as well as from the high winds by rails securely tied down."

A quantity of barley and bran is fed to the horses during the winter months, being boiled and fed warm once a week.

STABLES.

There is at present stable accommodation, including infirmary stable, for 125

horses.

The new stable which was completed this year adds greatly to the requirements of stable accommodation at this post; the stalls in this stable were not found suitable,

and had to be torn out and replaced; the lower half of the stalls are now laid down with planks, the upper being of earth. This grealty benefits the horses' feet.

The large stable in use by "H" Division requires to be completely renovated and refitted similar to the new stables; the present boarded stalls in that stable are unsuitable and dangerous, taking into consideration the many young unbroken horses which have to be handled.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT.

The general equipment is very good, "D" Division has only received as yet 10 carbine buckets, but these are seldom used.

New Bell tents and some few "A" and Wall tents will be required for next season's work, as those at present on hand are pretty well worn out.

The high winds which prevail in this district are terribly destructive to our tents.

BARRACK FURNITURE.

The barrack furniture is in fair condition, and has all been made in the post. I would again strongly recommend that more suitable barrack furniture be procured, such as iron cots, and tables and benches with iron legs.

FUEL.

The post is supplied with coal by the contractor from the Galt mines at Lethbridge; Pincher Creek detachment is being supplied this year from the Stewart mine; Kootenai and Big Bend detachments are now being supplied from the Rouleau mine.

Wood is only purchased for use at the detachments which are not at present supplied with coal stoves.

TELEPHONES.

There is no Government telephone at this post.

TELEGRAPH LINES.

The only telegraph line in this district is the Galt line, which connects Macleod with Lethbridge, and from that point to all points east and west.

FIRE PROTECTION.

The fire protection at this post consists of one hand engine with 500 feet of hose, 8 Babcocks, and the necessary ladders. In summer a supply of water is kept in barrels placed around the pump-house; in winter no preparations other than firebuckets and Babcocks are available should a fire break out. The water in the well cannot be reached by the suction pipe of the engine. This will be overcome this winter if the Department of Public Works follows out their intention of constructing a large tank in the upper part of the well.

The necessary fire orders have been published and posted up in the barrack rooms, detailing the members of both divisions to their special work, should any alarm of fire be given. In addition to this, the water cart and all available waggons loaded with water barrels are told off daily to assist in case of fire.

Every precautionary means is takento prevent the destruction of public property by fire.

WATER SUPPLY.

Water for the horses is obtained from a well in the centre of the square. This well, which was only 28 feet deep last year, has been bored to a depth of 120 feet this summer by contract, and is now in good working order, and an ample supply of water can be obtained at all seasons of the year, but is of such an alkili nature as to be unfit for cooking purposes. Water for this purpose has therefore to be drawn from a spring at the foot of a steep hill 600 yards from the barracks, which necessitates the constant employment of two men and four horses.

ROADS AND BRIDGES.

The roads in this district are very good. Bridges are badly needed at many points, there being only one at present in the district, which spans a small stream between here and Pincher Creek. They should, at least, be placed over the following rivers, especially on the main trails, Old Man's River, Kootenai, Belly, St. Mary's and Willow Creek.

There was no high water during the past season, the rivers being always fordable, which was quite an unusual circumstance; but to provide for such a contingency I had two boats built, one for the St. Marys, and one for the Belly River; another will be constructed for the Kootenai, near Stand Off.

FERRIES.

There are two ferries in this district, one at Kipp and one at Macleod, both crossing the Old Man's River, but they are seldom run when most needed, for fear of accidents.

LIQUOR LAWS.

I may say that nearly all classes in this district are strongly opposed to the existing liquor laws, and there are but few who will not assist either in smuggling or screening the smugglers.

As long as the permit system does exist and the law as it is at present interpreted, it will be impossible to suppress the illicit traffic in liquor.

It has been ruled by the judges that a permit can be exchanged between two parties, as long as the liquor goes with it. The police have to be exceedingly careful in making arrests or seizures, as unfortunately the burden lies with the prosecutor to prove that the liquor seized is not the same as that brought into the country under the permit held. The defendant is not compelled to prove whether it is or not. In consequence of this it is very hard for the police to obtain convictions, and they have to be careful in checking rowdyism, &c., resulting from its use.

As the law is now, you cannot arrest a man for being drunk unless he is creating a disturbance, and I would strongly recommend that the law be so amended that any man may be arrested who is found intoxicated in the public streets or highways.

Hop beer, which is sold to Indians principally, is still manufactured, but not to such a great extent as formerly. This should be stamped out altogether, as it is a curse to the Indian population. Men would sell them this beer when they would never think of giving them whiskey, relying on the chance of proving that it is not of an intoxicating nature, although the Indians manage to doctor it in different ways to bring about the desired result.

The parties who are engaged in the manufacture of this beer are a worthless lot, are of no benefit whatever to the country in which they live, and care little what trouble the Indians may get into through its use, as long as they can escape any penalty and get the Indians' money.

I reported this matter fully to the Inspector of Inland Revenue at Winnipeg, through his assistant, Mr. Thomas, at Lethbridge, who was here during the summer, an attempt to get a conviction was made, but none of the appliances for manufacturing could be found on the premises.

SETTLERS AND CROPS.

Quite a number of settlers have located in this district this season.

The Mormon settlement at Lee's Creek has largely increased, and a still greater influx is expected next spring. Another Mormon settlement has been started at Spring Coulée, about 12 miles from Lee's Creek. These settlers appear to be all conforming to our laws; they are extremely industrious, and make sale of a large dairy produce. They have imported this year a number of cattle, and I believe it is their intention next year to greatly increase their output of butter and cheese, which is of a very superior quality.