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The Committee advise further that. Your Excellency may also be moved to transmit a certified copy of this Minute, and the annexed report, to the Right Honourable Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.

All which is respectfully submitted for your Excellency's approval.

JOHN J. MCGEE,

Clerk of the Privy Council.

Memorandum from the Major-General Commanding the Militia to the Honourable the Minister of Militia and Defence.

Ottawa, December 27, 1899. With reference to the cablegram of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 24th instant, a copy of which is attached and paragraphed, I have the honour to state as follows:-

1. The Brigade Division, Field Artillery, consisting of three batteries of 12-pr. B.L. guns are in process of organization. They shall be complete in every respect with horses, 500 rounds of ammunition per gun, and full transport.

II. I understand that you have arranged for the Post Office officials.

III. The organization of a regiment of Mounted Rifles had already been carried into effect, with establishment laid down for Regimental Staff, and three service squadrons in war establishment, before the arrival of the cablegram in question, Ar- rangements had further been made to supplement this regiment by a Corps of Scouts, in accordance with the request of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 22nd, with the strength of a service squadron.

Owing to unforeseen difficulties as regards recruiting in the North-West Terri- 'tories, the mounted force above mentioned has been organized into two distinct bat- talions of Mounted Rifles, each consisting of regimental staff and two squadrons.

It would now cause great confusion and delay if this organization were altered again to meet the strength of the units indicated in the cablegram of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. I most strongly urge that representation be made that the present formation be accepted as final. Vide schedule attached.

The two battalions of Mounted Rifles shall be fully equipped with 500 rounds Mark II. S.A.A., personal and regimental equipment, including camp equipment, saddlery, stable and picketing gear, nose-bags, grooming kit, horseshoes for three months, farriers tools, and regimental transport.

IV. The probable date of departure shall be communicated later.

EDWD. H. HUTTON, Major-General,

Commanding Canadian Militia.

PROPOSED FORCE for Special Service IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Total No. of Officers

Do. Warrant Officers Do. Staff Sergeants Others

Do.

Total No. of Horses

27

SUMMARY.

57

3

77

1,144

1,281

1,234

EDWARD H. HUTTON,

Major-General, Commanding Canadian Militia.

With eighteen 12-pr. B.L. guns and four Maximus on galloping carria¿1.

Head-quarters,

27th December 1899.

3127

SIR,

No. 77.

TASMANIA.

GOVERNOR VISCOUNT GORMANSTON to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received January 29, 1900.)

(No. 88.)

Government House, Hobart, Tasmania,

December 21, 1899.

I HAVE the honour to enclose a letter which I have received from my Prime Minister intimating the desire of the Government of this Colony to equip and de- spatch to South Africa a further contingent of forty-five men in order to complete their unit now serving with the Imperial Forces.

The telegram, which I received from you to-day, accepting the offer on behalf of Her Majesty's Government gave much satisfaction, and I hope soon to be able to acquaint you by telegram of the date on which the contingent will'sail for the Cape.

I have, &c.,

GORMANSTON.

Warrant

Oficers.

Staff Ollicers, Sergeants.

Others,

Horees.

MOUNTED Rifles.

1st Battalion—”

Regimental Stall

7

5

2 Squadrons...

12

20

288

Add 5 per cent.

"1

2nd Battalion-

53

322

.18

ទ។ ...

Regimental Staff

2 Squadróns...

12

12:

25

5

38

53

20

288

322

18

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

THETIC.O.885

سائلنيلين

7

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

MY LORD,

Enclosure in No. 77.

Premier's Office, Hobart, December 19, 1899.

I HAVE the honour to inform you that your Ministers are prepared to provide, equip, and despatch to South Africa a further contingent of forty-five men to complete the unit now serving with the Imperial Forces, and I have the honour to request Your Excellency to be good enough to communicate by cable with the Secretary of State for the Colonies accordingly. In order that there may be no avoidable delay, may I ask for an carly reply.

Governor,

The Right Honourable

Add 5 per cent.

BRIGADE DIVISION OF ARTILLERY.

Regimental Staff

3 Batterien

15

***

3

24

9 483

16

411

Add 5 per cent.

21

TOTALS

57

3

77

1,144

1,234

1998

Viscount Gormanston, G.C.M.G.

• No. 20.

I have, &c.,

N. E. LEWIS,

Premier.

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