MR. SULLIVANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether an unusual length of time has not elapsed since the last examination of candidates for the Commissariat and Store Department; and, whether he can state the cause of such delay, and say when the next examination will be held?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY,in reply, said, it was usual to hold examinations for the departments referred to when there was a certain number of vacancies in them. The last examination was held for the Store department in December, 1875, and there were now only three vacancies. There were 10 vacancies in the Commissariat department; but no examination had yet been held, because an inquiry was now being made with the view of filling up existing vacancies in a manner different from that which had hitherto prevailed. Due notice would be given of the intention to abandon the present system, should it be decided to make a change.