146
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MARCH 30, 1917.
DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
No. 117.
CIRCULAR.
DOWNING STREET,
31st January, 1917.
SIR,-I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, the accompanying copies of Army Council Instructions and Army Orders which have been issued in regard to return passages to places abroad, for officers on retirement, demobilization, or termina- tion of contract, and for discharged soldiers.
I have, &c.,
WALTER H. LONG.
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG.
ARMY COUNCIL INSTRUCTION.
No. 902 of 1916.
WAR OFFICE,"
30th April, 1916.
RETURN PASSAGES TO PLACES ABROAD FOR OFFICERS ON RETIREMENT,
DEMOBIĻIZATION, OR TERMINATION OF CONTRACT.
I. When an officer or individual resident abroad who proceeded to this country after the declaration of war and rejoined or was given a commission in the British Army either direct or after a period of service in the ranks desires to return to the place whence he came at the public expense, he should apply to the War Office for return passage.
The application should give full particulars of destination, and should be accom- panied by a certificate that this is the place whence he came, and by a statement showing whether he is prepared to embark by the first available opportunity. Application for passage should not be made too long in advance.
First-class accommodation will be provided in all cases except as stated in para. 3, or where a lower class has been agreed upon at the commencement of the individual's employment.
2. The right to such passage must be exercised within six months of the date of retirement, demobilization, or completion of contract, except for reasons of ill health, when t passage may be deferred until the officer is medically fit to embark."
3. (a) Those whose services are terminated on account of misconduct, and (b) those who voluntarily resign their commissions before the end of the war will forfeit right to return passage. Exceptional cases will, however, be considered by the War Office when, if granted, passages under (a) will be second class, and under (b) first class.
4. This concession will apply only to officers, other than those granted honorary commissions only, who have been employed or re-employed for the period of the war, the intention being to send back those who have left their homes to give temporary service during the present emergency.
By Command of the Army Council,
R. W. MEADE.
F
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