COPY.
No. 791.
Enclosure to Despatch No.355
13th August, 1903.
C. O. 38384
of the
TEC
(P 15 SEP 1903)
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 10th April, 1902.
171
Sir,
With reference to the arrangements which the Government is making regarding the despatch of a contingent from the Hongkong Volunteer Corps to take part in the Coronation Ceremonies, I am directed to request you to inform me as soon as possible of the exact numbers of those who have definitely stated their ability to join the contingent. His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government is desirous of having placed before him as soon as possible the names of those who are able to go to England and who are recommended by you, after consultation with the late Acting Commandant and the other Officers of the Corps, as fit and proper persons to represent the local forces of the Colony in England. When the names are submitted to him, His Excellency trusts that no further changes will be come necessary or will be made.
2. His Excellency also wishes it to be clearly understood that neither Officers nor men will receive any pay or allowances whatsoever, either on the voyage or in England, with the exception of the sum of £1 Sterling which will be given to each Non-commissioned Officer and private in order to secure some additional comfort when crossing between Vancouver and Montreal, and a similar amount on the return journey, besides a sustenance allowance of three shillings per diem for each man and ten shillings per diem for each Officer during the period between arrival at Montreal and the sailing of the Atlantic Steamer, and a sustenance allowance of 7 shillings and 6 pence per diem for each Officer on each day of detention in England.
3. First class passages to and from England will be provided by the Colonial Government for two Officers, and on arrival in London they will be provided by the Imperial Government with free quarters without rations. The Non-commissioned Officers and men will receive third class passages to and from England, and on arrival there will receive free lodging and rations.
I shall be glad to receive a reply to this communication.
The Commandant,
Hongkong Volunteer Corps.