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The appointment of engineer students is effected in the same manner as the appointment of naval cadets, but the age of candidates must not be under sixteen years of age or over twenty-one. The student joining the Naval College of Engineering remains three years and four months, going through a course of advanced mathematics, physics, chemistry, theory of the steam-engine, etc. They also receive practical training in the engineering workshops of the Yokosuka Dockyard, receiving instruction in iron shipbuilding, the working of marine engines and boilers, the practical use of the various instruments used in the engine-room, as well as in the construction and working of electric light, torpedo and gun machinery. The student successfully passing the final examination becomes a probationary Assistant Engineer of the navy, and is appointed to a sea-going training-ship, where he receives the practical training necessary for a man-of-war.

After eight months’ training on board, the students are examined and commissioned as Assistant Engineers, gaining the succeeding steps of promotion, as in the case of executive officers. The order of promotion is as follows: Engineer, Chief and Fleet Engineer, Inspector of Machinery, and lastly, Inspector-General of Machinery.

Candidates for the medical branch of the navy are required to pass a medical examination before being allowed to go up for the competitive examinations. The latter include medicine, surgery, science, and modern languages. Successful candidates become probationary Assistant Surgeons of the navy, and have to join the Navy Medical College for instruction. They remain there not less than one year, and if they pass the examination at the college successfully, are appointed to the hospitals of the different naval stations. After a certain period of time, if recommended favourably by the Superintendent of Hospitals, they are commissioned as Assistant Surgeons, gaining succeeding steps of promotion by selection. The successive grades of rank are Assistant-Surgeon, Surgeon, Staff and Fleet Surgeon, Surgeon-Inspector, and Surgeon-General.

Surgeons are also appointed from among the graduates of the Imperial Universities without the examination of science.

Probationary assistant paymasters are selected by competitive examination after having successfully passed the required medical examination. Candidates must not be under twenty or