COMMANDANT OF FORCES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 July 1901, Page 4

COMMANDANT OF FORCES.

(OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington’ July 10. Brevet Colonel St George, Charles Henry, C. 8., is the new Commander of the Forces. He is engaged for five years and was highly recommended by the War Office. He is a member of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

In making his announcement, to the House of Representatives concerning Col Pole Penton s successor, the Premier said the Commander-in-chief (Lord Roberts) had recommended that an officer should be appointed who had had South African experience aad the War Office recommended Major and Brevet Col St George Henry of the Northumberland Fusiliers who had had twenty-two years’ service and had served under General Kitchener in command of the Camel Corps at Dongola and commanded the Fourth Corps of Mounted Infantry in South Africa.

The offer of the appointment would, he said be made to Col. Henry on terms on which Col Penton was appointed. Mr Pirani expressed regret that none of our own brave officers, some of whom had seen ten times Colonel Henry’s service in South Africa, should have been thought fit for the position. The Premier said no slight was cast on those who had served the colony in South Africa, but none of them could compare with the officer he had named The Government had great confidence in the appointment they proposed to make in regard to positions under the commandant. Preference would be given to the men who had served in South Africa. Lieutenant-Colonel Robin, who twice crossed Colonel Henry in South Africa, tells me that he considers him a firstclass officers and he confidently expresses the opinion that it will prove satisfactory to the force of the colony. He expresses satisfaction at the selection of an infantry officer with mounted infantry experience.