T.I. Garrison.

Barracks Removal Recalls Wager.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., May 29.

THE last portions of the military buildings are being shipped to Darwin; and last week the “Man gola” took South a quantity of ammunition. Her cargo on that occasion consisted largely of two types of shell —a consignment from the old fort, and several hundred cases of “M.O.P.” A quantity of stores, etc., were recently sold by tender; and the hill on which the barracks stood now presents the suggestion of a cemetery with its rows of cement piles upon which the buildings stood.

The work of removing and shipping the big gun pedestal, weighing several tons, is at present occupying the atten tion of the staff. When it was first erected, on Milman Hill (overlooking the Strait) local carriers found the work of getting it up the hill too diffi cult, and eventually the commanding officer decided to undertake it himself, making a wager that he would accomplish it with the aid of his men in less than a fortnight.

With the assistance of a capstan and tackle, he got it up in 12 days. Now the tortuous track down to the sea is being negotiated; and a winch, wooden rollers, and other gear, worked by a small but efficient body of soldiers, are doing the job at the rate of from 200 to 400 yards a day. As the wharf is not sufficiently strong to bear the weight, it is intended to load the pedestal on to a big punt and thence take it alongside the steamer for transhipment.