3
150 men should be incorporated into an artillery corps.
Clothing and arms are to be provided by the colony.
A question has lately been raised, whether a small portion of this force which was called out to aid the regular troops should be paid out of the military chest or by the colony. The Treasury have decided upon paying the charge incurred upon the occasion; but this must be considered an exceptional case.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference —
HEPERFIC.O.
885
May 8, 1950.
SIERRA LEONE,
For some years past a militia bas been embodied in this colony. No difficulty has been found in enrolling men for the service, because it is extremely popular. The African loves military pomp, and the pay is a great additional inducement. The law now in force was passed in 1850.
All persons between the ages of 18 and 45 are liable to serve.
But as it was considered more desirable to have a small but really efficient body of men well drilled and ready to turn out on a short notice, than to have a large ostensible force on paper, their number has been limited to 250. They are divided into five companies of 40 men, with an artillery company of 90 meu, and are liable to be called out ninety days in each year. Their pay, clothing, and arms, are provided by the colony.
1PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
GAMBIA.
A law was passed in the year 1848 for consti- January 25, 1848.
tuting a militia; and some time afterwards a second
law was enacted, for amending and continuing in October 18, 1848. force the former law. The principle of this enact- ment is, that all male inhabitants between the ages of 16 and 30 are liable to bear arms; but it was deemed sufficient to provide that the whole number to be called out should not exceed 450 men: 300 from Bathurst, 100 from Mc Carthy Island, and 50 from the settlements under the guns of Fort Bullen, which is on the other side of the Gambia, opposite to the town of Bathurst.
Of that force the late Governor proposed that
No. 1 of 1846, 8th of June.
ST. HELENA.
The last ordinance which was passed for regu- lating the militia of St. Helena is dated in 1846.
All persons between the ages of 15 and 55 are liable to serve.
The militia forms one regiment of 22 officers and 300 men, and is liable to be called out for drill six times in the year.
When called out and embodied, they are paid out of the funds of the colony, as the militia in England.
The Government has hitherto defrayed the cost of providing clothing for this militia, once in every
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three years. This assistance has been granted upon the principle that the force is an important adjunct to the garrison!
CANADA.
By a law passed in 1846, the militia is to 9 Viet, cap. 28, consist of all male inhabitants over 18 and under 60.
Two classes are established: the first to comprise
all men between 18 and 40; and the second volun- teers for active service; and the second class to comprise men between 40 and 60.
It is provided that the first class may be called
out one day in every year.
Act to be in force for three years.
The Act was renewed for a further term of three
years by an Act passed in 1850.
The province defrays all expenditure; and that is limited at present to the pay of the staff: above 2000/
NOVA SCOTIA.
June 9, 1846.
13 Vict. cap. 11,
August 10, 1850.
The Act now in force for regulating the militia was passed in 1841. It enacts that all men of the age of 16 and upwards, and not over 60, shall be enrolled in the militia.
Vict. cap. 108,
April 10, 1841
5
Geo. IV, cap. 18.
NEW BRUNSWICK.
The law for regulating the militia of this province was passed in 1825.
Every male inhabitant, from 16 to 60, is liable to
serve.
army.
Pay to be the same as that of the But the Assembly has manifested a great indis- position to give effect to the law, and in 1851 a bill was brought in for suspending its operation on account of the great loss of time and expense to the province which must be attendant on the enforce-" ment of the Militia Law.
What became of that bill does not appear.
14 Vict.. cap. 6.
April 23, 1851.
3 Wm. IV. cap. 30,
1833,
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND,
The last Act on the subject of militia was passed in 1851.
But this Act amends a previous Act passed in 1780, and enacts that the militia shall only be called out in case of emergency.
By the Act of 1780 all male inhabitants between 16 and 60 are liable to serve.
By an Act of 1833, all militia men above 45 were allotted to rescrved battalions, and it was directed that they should not be called out unless upon a special order.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Io Is To le k l
C.O.
Reference :-
885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
When the militia is ordered into actual service, it is to be entitled to the same pay as the army, and to rations.
A recent Act has been passed for amending and consolidating the militia laws, and awaits confirma- tion as part of the general consolidated law of the province.
The province possesses a large quantity of arms, which are mostly of an obsolete pattern and unser- viceable.
A committee of the Legislative Assembly recently submitted to the Lieutenant-Governor a proposal for selling all the arms of the province. The Secretary of State objected, and expressed his disposition to
aid the province in obtaining new arms.
NEWFOUNDLAND.
There is no militia in this island, and as yet I have failed to ascertain t there is any law bearing on the subject.
BERMUDA..
The last Act for the establishment of a militia expired in 1817. The Assembly has manifested an indisposition to renew it.