The Command of the Third Contingent.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 108, 13 February 1900, Page 3

The Command of the Third Contingent.

Cmu^TCHUßcn, Feb. 10. In response to an' urgent request of the war committee, Colonel Fox has consented to take command of the Canterbury troop, on condition that he is allowed to select one Imperial noncommissioned offlcor at present in the service of the colony to accompany him. Major Jowaey's commission as Major in ; the Imperial service to be antedated, so as to make him' senior to Colonel Fox. The committee have wired to the Tremier, asking the Government to accept this as a solution ofHhe difficulty.

Wellington, Feb. 10.The Mayor of Christchurch telegraphed to the Premier, protesting against Major Jowsey being appointed to the command of the contingent, because they wanted him as captain of the Canterbury company: — "We know," says Mr Keece, "of no other available Canterbury man to whom we

care to trust the lives of our Canterbury boys. The committee were the first to discover Major Jowsey's value, and consider It unfair to take him from them at the eleventh hour. I\ would einbairass them and upset all their arrangements. If he was the only officer suitable they would waive their claim, but in Colonel Fo\ you have an officer available whose qualifications are unquestionable." The Premier replies that ho entirely disagrees with tho statement that Colonel Fux is the most suitable otncei to take command. The success of the contingent in Africa 'Shows that our own trained officers are the right men in the right place. He points out that Colonel Fox hxs withdrawn his offer, and stated that he will not take the position if offeied. " Your committee would therefore have to ask him to* reconsider his refusal. The proper and dignified course is for the Government to adhere to the decision they had ariived at. The Premier feels very confident that we have several volunteeis oificeis in the colony capable and willing to take charge of this and other contingents if necessity \ tuises. In offering the appointment to Major Jowsey, he had hoped it give satisfaction to the committee, and he only took charge of the Canterbury company on the express tmilev standing that it it should not prejudice j ! his being placed in charge of the whole contingent. The Premier regrets ' that the committee should havo come to the conclusion that theie is only one officer in all Canterbury fit to command its company. He agrees with this and deprecates the slight of capable men in ordpr to evelate other. Finally he states that Mr Eeece is entirely wrong as to Colonel Fox not being senior to Major Robin. A letter appeals m the Post suggesting that as in a short tune there will be a large number of New Zealanders in South Africa, they should bo consolidated into a regiment and the Imperial Government asked to issue a commission to Major Kobui as Lieutenanb Colonel. The writer points out that this course would solve the difficulty of having to reject suitable men as commanders of the various contingents for fear they would outiank Major Eobin.