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occupied its serious attention.
The Committee have reported strongly on the necessity of procuring a better class of men as Punkeys,
from my observation and from the complaints made from time to time against the misconduct of the present lot of Punkeys, I am convinced that reform is necessary in this direction.
At a meeting of my Executive Council held to consider the report of the Guard Committee, these questions came under consideration, and it was resolved that as a preliminary step Your Lordship be asked to sanction the procuring of the services of five respectable men to act in the capacity of Punkey.
It is proposed to pay them at the rate of £100 per annum, in addition to which they will be allowed quarters and uniforms, and the sense of the Council was in favor of making arrangements by which periodical changes could be made in the Guard Staff, before a protracted connection with Guard associations wrought its demoralising effects.
I shall be much obliged if Your Lordship can see your way to affording this Experiment in the manner indicated.