CO129-300 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [7-9] — Page 238

20073236

RevP 20 AUG 00

No. 345.

Government House.

Hong-Kong, 28th. July, 1900.

sir,

3570

With reference to the last paragraph of my des-

patch No.317 of the 6th. July, I have the honour to inform you

that after correspondence with Major-General Gascoigne, I agree

with him that strength of the Volunteer Corps had better be

kept at 450 of all ranks.

2.Major-General Gascoigne is prepared to recom-

mend to the Secretary of State for War that the cost of this

increase of 100 men and all future equipment for the Volunteer

Corps together with two permanent Instructors shall be borne

by the Imperial Government either by a direct grant or by au- thorizing a deduction from the Military Contribution paid by the Colony, which as the enclosed return will show increases year by year and must continue to increase automatically.

3.I think that the proposal is equitable, and I hope that it may he accepted by Her Majesty's Government, but pending this decision, I have included the cost of the proposei increase of 100 men in the Estimates for 1901.

I have the honour to he,

The Right Honourable

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.

&cc

260 - 1

8c0.1.

sir,

Your most obedient

Humble Servant,

Henry asslabe

•

GOVERNOR, &C.