It is greatly to the credit of the town that at a time when recruiting in the country has been generally slack, the figures at Bournemouth have been very satisfactory.

Under the circumstances the addition of seven or eight recruits a day, which, with one or two exceptions has been the lowest the figures have fallen to, must be considered satisfactory as it indicates that when in a short time pressure is exerted, no matter in what form, the response from Bournemouth will be good.

Every day the increased provision which is being made in one form or another to secure the interests of soldiers’ dependents makes the excuse for inaction less real. True, there has been one or two unfortunate incidents where training conditions have not been calculated to the best interest of recruiting, but the ground for complaint is being speedily removed as any truthful soldier will testify.

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu is anxious that the strength of the 7th Hants Reserve Battalion should be established at an early date. Already nearly 700 strong, this unit is sure, sooner or later, to have responsible duties assigned to it.

Even if the battalion does not leave these shores yet awhile, that contingency must be reckoned with, perhaps at an earlier date than some may imagine. It behoves every intending recruit to join the Battalion at once, that he may become efficiently trained at an early date.

The claims of the Regular Army, of course, are sure to lay pressing, if not prior claims on the decision of an intending recruit, but this fact should not hinder the early completion of the strength of the battalion, which is to add to the laurels of Hampshire, and more particularly of Bournemouth and District.

With the prospect of their being so many other soldiers in the town, let it not be said that the 7th Hants is incomplete.