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Arrangement at all satisfactory, and would recommend that they be placed on the same footing as the Volunteer Corps are at home.
Under present conditions they would form an invaluable link in the chain of defence, and the G.O.C. would not be justified in intrusting to their care the charge of any position of importance.
The Colonial Authorities are well able to give an opinion as to the probability of raising a Militia Artillery or Corps. I consider it, however, extremely doubtful whether such a step is practicable in the Colony.
I believe that it would be quite possible to increase the strength of the Artillery Volunteer Corps, if they were placed on the same footing as they are at home; but I should prefer that the Volunteer Corps, now about to be formed, should be strengthened as much as possible, the Artillery being invited to join it; or if they wish to continue their service with the Artillery Volunteer, they be trained to work the 9 Pr H. M. L. Guns shortly expected in the Colony for the defence of the southern section. They would be replaced in the batteries by the regular infantry who are now trained to the service of the heavy guns.
I may add that I have discussed this question several times with Sir William Robinson, and that he was entirely in accord with these views.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
(87) 7. Bevan Edwards,
Major General Commanding in China & Hongkong.