the unit later was later involved in activity against bush rangers of the period in victoria including frank mccallum ("captain melville"), power and ned kelly and his gang. the service was seen as a sought after career by people at the time, with essential criteria for joining including that "one must be between 20 and 25 years of age, and at least 5 ft. 9 in. in height." pay at the time, was "commencing at 6/6 per day, rises by gradation, to s/6 to 11/" the size of the force has varied over time. in 1899 it was 350.