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Commucial interests of which Hongtong is the main Depôt. I greatly regret that the mortality of last year resulting as it did from insufficient precautions and very ...-freciliar season, has induced Her Majesty's Government to abandon recent adequate trial their humane and wise experiment of unpplerausting the European Garrison by sufficient native troops to relieve them from the most fatiguing and unhealthy duties which they had formerly been required to perform during the hot season here.
The actual working of that experiment was highly successful though carried out with the aid of only four Companies of the Ceylon Rifles, and its abandonment now without sufficient experience of its working leaves the question in an unsettled state.
10. I desire therefore to leave on record my protest against the proposed reduction of the European Regiment here, for the reasons above-given, and I take the liberty of inquiring whether it be intended that the Dead Quarters of the 20th Regiment shall remain here or accompany the wing intended to be sent to Singapore.
11. Under my instructions the Senior Officer Commanding becomes a Member of Executive Council and, in the absence of the General, the proposed diminution of the European Force, if it entail the departure of the Regimental Head Quarters might operate...