20073236
RevP 20 AUG 00
No. 345.
Government House.
Hong-Kong, 28th. July, 1900.
sir,
3570
With reference to the last paragraph of my des-
patch No.317 of the 6th. July, I have the honour to inform you
that after correspondence with Major-General Gascoigne, I agree
with him that strength of the Volunteer Corps had better be
kept at 450 of all ranks.
2.Major-General Gascoigne is prepared to recom-
mend to the Secretary of State for War that the cost of this
increase of 100 men and all future equipment for the Volunteer
Corps together with two permanent Instructors shall be borne
by the Imperial Government either by a direct grant or by au- thorizing a deduction from the Military Contribution paid by the Colony, which as the enclosed return will show increases year by year and must continue to increase automatically.
3.I think that the proposal is equitable, and I hope that it may he accepted by Her Majesty's Government, but pending this decision, I have included the cost of the proposei increase of 100 men in the Estimates for 1901.
I have the honour to he,
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.
&cc
260 - 1
8c0.1.
sir,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant,
Henry asslabe
•
GOVERNOR, &C.