3
nducements can be put forward as soon as he has sufficient
time to do so.
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6. As regards the second suggestion made by the Overseas Defence Committee (para 4 (b)), His Excellency regretted that he was unable, in the present serious financial situation of the Colony, to support the immediate creation of this new office. At my further request, however, His Excellency has agreed to the suggestions that - as a temporary expedient the Regular
-
officer performing the duties of Corps Adjutant should be
upgraded locally to the appointment of Commandant: and that an
unseconded junior Regular officer of the garrison should be appointed Adjutant. His Excellency agrees to pay an allowance
of $100 a month to each of these two officers.
This matter was referred to the Army Council for approval
in my Confidential letter No. C.R.C.C. 12116 (G) dated 22 April
1936, a reply to which is awaited. It is hoped to start the
new regime on 1st August 1936.
7.
In order to provide clothing and equipment for the non-
European recruits referred to in para 3 above the Commandant has been virtually compelled to switch a portion of his camps
allotment to his "clothing allotment". Field Training for
the Corps, then, must be to some extent restricted for the
forthcoming year.
But His Excellency the Governor is aware
of the facts and will no doubt endeavour to restore "training"
to its correct relative status as soon as the financial situation
permits.
8.
That
In conclusion I should like to record my very real
appreciation of the serious and earnest manner in which the enrolled personnel of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps apply themselves to their eminently important tasks. they do so is to a very large extent due to the personal example set by Lieutenant-Colonel H.B.L. Dowbiggin, O.B.E., throughout
his 30 years service in the Corps. Whether this officer retires
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