CAB7-1 — Page 54

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Frontier Armed and Mounted Police, whom it is proposed to call henceforth, "The Cape Mounted Rifles." If occasion should require, ample reinforcements can be supplied by the organized volunteers and burghers.

It is proposed that each regiment shall finally reach 1,000 in number. The head-quarters of the first, which it is intended shall be composed of men of the divisions of King William's Town, East London, Victoria East, Peddie, Albany, Bathurst, and Alexandria, is to be stationed at King William's Town. The second will have its head-quarters at Queen's Town, and will comprise men of that division and of the divisions of Wodehouse, Fort Beaufort, Stockenstrom, Bedford, Cradock, Albert, and Aliwal North. The third will rendevouz at Uitenhage, and be raised from the men of that division, and of Graaff-Reinet, Somerset East, Port Elizabeth, and Humansdorp.

The Governor, however, may change any of the head-quarters if it should appear advisable to do so.

The Bill authorizes the Governor, who will be the Commander-in-chief, to appoint a Commandant-General of all the Colonial forces, who will be responsible for their efficiency. For this officer provision was made in the last session of Parliament.

The enrolment in the yeomanry will be voluntary, but, as the effectiveness of the force would be wholly impaired by resignations and continued changes, recruits will be Each man will have such liberal annual required to enrol for three years certain.

allowance as Parliament may provide, the payment of which will bind him to keep in good order and condition a suitable horse, saddle, and bridle. There will be local drill, and rifle or artillery practice, once a month, at the different towns and villages most con- venient to the men serving; and each regiment is to be called out for general muster for training at head-quarters, or some other convenient place or places, once in each year, for a period of not more than five consecutive days. Each man is to receive pay, rations, and forage for these days, and the same will be continued when the regiments are called out for actual service so long as the service lasts; but no pay, rations, or forage will be given for the one day musters, as they will take place close to the men's homes.

Regulations are to be made by the Governor in Council respecting arms, ammuni- tion, accoutrements, discipline, and the like, and these regulations will from time to time be laid before Parliament.

The 21st, 22nd, and 23rd sections of the Bill impose penalties for the suppression of certain offences against discipline, the suppression of such offences being absolutely neces- sary to the maintenance of the force.

In time of active service the articles of War will apply to this as well as other corps which may be called out, but flogging is not permitted.

A suitable permanent staff of commissioned and non-commissioned officers and clerks necessary for maintaining the efficiency of the force is provided for each regiment, at such rate of pay as Parliament may provide; and the Commandant-General will, under his responsibility for the efficiency of the forces, of course utilise the services of such staff to the best advantage, so as to secure effectiveness amongst the members of the several regiments. Power is also given to the Governor to issue Commissions as officers to residents within the several districts mentioned.

The commanding officer, as permanent head of the regiment, will have the nomina- tion of non-commissioned officers; but he will not have the power of reduction to the ranks unless upon the judgment of a regimental court-martial.

Persons who shall be enrolled shall not absent themselves from any monthly or general muster unless they have obtained leave of absence from the commanding officer, or unless the absence be caused by illness. Courts of inquiry into complaints can be summoned by the Governor.

The Burgher Bill embodies most of the amendments of the Select Committee appointed during the last session of Parliament. Under its provisions the burgher lists are to be framed by the field-cornets, to whom it is proposed to give a moderate remunera- tion for their services. The lists having been framed, they are to be forwarded to the Civil Commissioner of the district, who will hold a Court for hearing objections.

The burghers shall elect their field-captains or deputies, and the field-captains shall elect the field-commandants.

The Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, shall be at liberty to call out the burgher force or portion thereof for service in any part of the Colony whenever he may think fit, and with the same advice he shall be at liberty to call them out for training or inspection.

Such pay as Parliament may provide shall be given to burghers while in actual service, compensation shall be made to burghers losing their horses or accoutrements in war, and pensions may be given to the families of burghers killed in action.

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