19

A.—2

Schedule.

No. 34. (No. 57.) Downing Street, 14th August, 1900. The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand, and has the honour to transmit to him, for the information of his Ministers, the paper described in the subjoined schedule, respecting the disposal of members of the colonial foroes who have been invalided to this country from South Africa.

Enclosure. Sib,— War Office, London, S.W., Ist August, 1900. I am directed to acquaint you that the Secretary of State for War has approved of the following arrangements for the disposal of members of colonial forces who have been invalided to this country from South Africa, as it is most desirable that those men whom it is not intended to send back to their units in South Africa should, with the least delay possible, be returned to their homes: — (a.) Men medically unfit for further service may be discharged under that heading, and a " Form of Proceedings on Discharge " (Army Form B 268) should be completed as far as possible in each case, and forwarded, with the usual medical report (Army Form B 179), and any other documents which may be forthcoming, to the Secretary, Eoyal Hospital, Chelsea, London, S.W., for consideration as regards pension. (b.) Men not medically unfit for further service who wish to be discharged may be released at once from the liability of further service, but the preparation of a " Proceedings on Discharge " will not be necessary in their cases. Those who have over five months still to serve and who do V not desire to be discharged, and express a wish to this effect in writing, will be allowed to rejoin their corps in South Africa. 2. Men belonging to oversea contingents, together with those who were enrolled in South Africa for forces raised in that colony, and who wish to return there, will be granted passage to the colonies from which they came upon application to the Quartermaster-General, which should be made without delay. 3. In both classes of discharge the men will be furnished with Discharge Certificates showing the reason of their release from further service in connection with the war, and, in those cases in which passage is granted, these certificates will be dated for the date on which they are to embark. Army Form B 2079 will be used, the word " recruit" in the second line thereof being erased. 4. A gratuity of £5 will be paid to each man entitled thereto under Army Order 150 of 1900, and in every case a careful note should be taken of the man's intended future address, with a view to insuring the payment of any general war gratuity, or issue of medal, which may hereafter be awarded. 5. A notification of the date of the men's embarkation, and a certificate showing up to what date the men have been paid, should be forwarded by the officer who carries out the discharge to the under-mentioned officers, viz. : Men belonging to — (a) Canadian Contingent, G.O.C. Militia, Canada, Ottawa; (b) South African forces, G.0.C., Capetown; (c) Australian and New Zealand contingents, and Ceylon Mounted Infantry, Governor of the colony from which the men came; (d) Lumsden's Horse, Commander-in-Chief in India. Men of the Canadian Contingent should be instructed to report their arrival in Canada to the Officer Commanding, Citadel, Quebec. 6. Furlough to the date of embarkation may be granted, provided the men certify in writing that they desire it. I am, &c, The General Officer Commanding. H. Boebbtt, I.G.R. P.S. —The Marquis of Lansdowne desires me to impress upon you that many of these men are quite ignorant of the military rules prevailing in this country, and unfamiliar with discipline, and requests, therefore, that you will make it your business to explain to them fully, and in good time, the intentions of this office in regard to them.

Session and Chapter. Title. !0 and 21 Vict., c. 39 17 and 38 Vict., c. 41 t7 and 48 Vict., c. 24 ... The Colonial Attorneys Relief Act. ... The Colonial Attorneys Relief Act. ... " The Colonial Attorneys Relief Act Amendment Act, 1884."

Date. Description of Document. st August, 1900 ... Circular letter from War Office to general officers commanding at Home