ders direct with the contractors on their own, I would accept no
responsibility of any kind in the matter. In the meantime, what was to be
done with the still very large balance of Mark V ammunition which was
ready for shipment? My friend, the member of the firm, was just as aware
as I was that Mark VI ammunition which they had then begun to supply to
the War Office was not by any means likely to prove satisfactory. He
actually seemed rather pleased that the large balance of Mark V was now
practically left on his hands and would be replaced by the Mark VI. As
the inspection of the Mark VI would naturally take some considerable time
before it could be passed and dispatched to Australia, there was no
hurry, as far as I could see, to communicate further by cable with
Victoria. I may mention that the Government of New South Wales had
accepted the situation and were content to receive their regular supplies
of Mark V, having accepted my suggestion.

Then my day came. The National Rifle Meeting was held in Scotland. I
voyaged up to watch for myself. It was not long before serious complaints
began to be made, not only as regards the actual results of the shooting
on the targets, but, what was much more serious, the bursting of two or
three barrels and the blowing out of several breech-blocks. I was quite
satisfied and returned to London. Courts of Inquiry were ordered by the
Government, but, what was more important, similar happenings occurred
later at the Bisley Meeting. The Council immediately took up the matter
with the Government. Result: Mark VI ammunition condemned. Then went a
cable to Australia through the Press Association:

"Mark VI ammunition condemned by Government.--The information sent
to the Colonies by the Inspector of Warlike Stores confidentially
has proved correct."

Next day I received the following from Melbourne: "Is the cable published
here to-day with reference to Mark VI ammunition true? If so, please
rescind as soon as possible the order for two million rounds placed with
the contractors." There was nothing more to be done but to try to induce
the contractors to forgo their order for two million Mark VI and let us
have the Mark V. I think it is to their credit to state that they at once
met my wishes in this respect, and an awkward situation was saved. This
happened only some two months before the declaration of war against South
Africa. The War Office, having decided earlier in the year on the