gold hat-pin, modelled after an oar, on the blade of which was engraved S.G.C.; the officers, in addition to this, wore a plain gold bangle similarly engraved. The Government also thought it as well to raise a corps of 100 special mounted girl constables, and Captain Easton was sent for and requested to allow his two daughters, who are generally admitted to be two of the best lady riders in the colony, to take charge of this corps and organize it. He readily consented, and, after some deliberation, the uniform of the troopers was arranged; it was to consist of a blue serge habit, hussar tunic, with scarlet facings and slung jacket; the head dress, opossum skin hussar busby.

[Pg 12]

The young lady troopers were all to be mounted on black chargers, and armed with riding whips only. The officers’ badges to be a gold horseshoe bangle.

The constables from numbers 1 to 200 were ordered to parade in the yard at the head office of police at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and, as may be imagined, a great many applications were made to Mr. Gooseberry by some of the leading men[Pg 13] in Sydney to be allowed to be present at the drill. Only a few, however, were allowed in, and those mostly officers of the Navy and Land Defence Forces. The uniforms of the first two companies had been rapidly made, partly by the constables themselves, and partly by Free Labour, and very pretty the young Australian ladies looked as they fell in by companies in the yard. The officers were selected from those young ladies who had had any experience with the Navy, Army, or Volunteers, and it was remarked that there was a decided majority on the side of the Navy. After the officers had been selected the roll was called, and Mr. Gooseberry gave the command to No. 1 company to size. Some fun was occasioned by one young lady who, as soon as the Inspector-General said size, mistaking his meaning, stepped forward and answered, “Oh, I take five and three-quarters, six buttons, tan, if you please.” The Captain of number two also made a slight error, as, when requested to form her company into fours, she gave the command “All fours,” which was literally obeyed by most of the company, who fell on their hands and knees. However, with the exception of these[Pg 14] trifling errors, the drill was altogether most creditable, as was allowed by Colonels Scalding, Major Darey and Capt. Pathan, who were looking on and chatting about the happy days they had spent together in the Soudan. When the drill was over the companies were served out with Gem air guns, and after a few instructions had been given, in case of any emergency, the parade was dismissed. The following day the next two 

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