The trigonometrical and topographical sections stand in intimate connection with each other. Since 1865 the former is charged with the survey of the Eastern Provinces, a work which it is hoped will be concluded in ten years, under the direction of the chief of the staff.
Under the present organization there are always forty young officers attached to the head-quarter staff, but only for one year, their absence from regimental duty having proved detrimental, while the current work is naturally better executed when carried out by permanent employés, thus avoiding the interruption caused by constant reliefs.
The geographical-statistical is a new section, the necessity for which arose from the overcrowding of other branches, particularly of the map-room. So much material had accumulated in the other branches that it was found necessary to establish a section in which the scattered information could be condensed in the form of statistics. To this end the former geographical subsection was altered into its present form with an enlarged sphere of work, and the charge of the collection of maps was transferred to it from the map-room, which had become so much overcrowded with old materials as to have neither room nor time for the ordinary business of taking charge of the current surveys and of the maps and charts intended for distribution to the army.
With a view to facilitating the collection of the best geographical and statistical materials all the sections are placed en rapport with the new section, to which they are required to forward all special material coming under notice, and all books or pamphlets which contain geographical or statistical information. This section stands also in constant communication with the civil statistical bureau.
The duties of the “Plankammer” (map-room) are now restricted to the care of the topographical instruments of the original surveys of the topographical section, of new maps prepared for distribution, and of the financial business of the general staff. All the scientific duties of the map-room have passed over to the geographical statistical section.
There is no regulation on the admission of officers to the staff, nor is there any direct preliminary examination. They are selected from:—
1. Those who have completed the prescribed course at the Military Academy.
2. Those who notify their desire to enter the staff.
3. Those who are recommended by their superiors as officers likely to become useful staff officers.
The year of probation at head-quarters, already mentioned, affords the opportunity of forming an opinion as to the capabilities of these officers, who at its conclusion return to their regiments, where they are usually employed as adjutants, or, on the occurrence of vacancies, with the brigades, divisions, or corps.