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as
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2
postponed until the merits of the cheaper devices now being tested have been ascertained.
6. It is suggested that copies of the Annual Musketry Returns might, in future, be transmitted with the Annual Report, in order that the expert advice of the Commandant of the School of Musketry may be obtained on the course of training adopted and the results of the year's practice.
7. The Colonial Office have also referred to the Colonial Defence Committee a despatch, dated the 1st November, 1906, from the Governor of Hong Kong in regard to the appointment of Commandant of the Hong Kong Volunteer Force, the abolition of which was recommended by the Committee in paragraph 5 of their Remarks No. 364 R, and paragraphs 4 and 5 of their Remarks No. 397 R.
The despatch is printed as Appendix II to these Remarks.
8. The Governor considers that it is inadvisable to abolish the appointment of Commandant, and recommends that at the termination of the period of tenure of the present holder, Captain (local Major) C. G. Pritchard, R.A., the appointment should be unpaid and held by a civilian, and that the Commandant should be assisted by a Staff Officer for Volunteers, to whom responsibility for all matters of finance and stores which had hitherto been borne by the Commandant should be allotted. It is proposed that the appointment of Staff Officer should be held by a captain of Royal Garrison Artillery, seconded for service under the Colonial Government, with a salary of 600/. per annum, and house allowance of 75 dollars per mensem.
9. The Committee attach great weight to the opinion of Sir Matthew Nathan, and recognize the undesirability of introducing a measure which, although it might tend to improve training and administration, would affect adversely the popularity and strength of the Force. In these circumstances, they concur in his recommendation that the appointment of Commandant should be retained, and that it should be unpaid and held by a civilian, who should be assisted by a Staff Officer seconded from the regular forces.
January 10, 1907.
(Signed)
J. R. CHANCELLOR, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
Approved by Army Council 21/1/09.
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