CO129-112 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1866 [3-4] — Page 315

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explaining the intention of Her Majesty's Government to reinforce

Her Majesty's Troops in China by

а

Native Corps and instrueting me,

frending. the formation of that Corps, to

Cooperate, as far as may

may be for noticable,

arranging-

ab in arr

with the

General

measures for the relief of the Troops.

I need scarcely say

will afford

me

£

that it

very great pleasure to

assist as far posible in diminishing. the duties likely to fall on Hoerellajesty's European Troops during the ensuing Summa.- At this moment the principal guards hitherto maintained for protection of the Colony have been

C

discontinued, though the

}

G

d at

guard overnment House - a Corporal and

-

three men-is still maintained, but

with

my full permission to remove it. when necessary.

3

to me

On the Major General applying

for permission to discontinue the guard at the offices during

the

change of quarters of the 9th and 20t Regiments

now in progress, but involving

a delay of at least 21/2 months. I thought it best to express my regoct-

at the necessity for discontinuing usual Military guard

officially.

any

nd under

the precrition cremmstances of this

Colony's paying for

their maintenance.