"THE DOMINION SCOUTS."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 484, 17 April 1909, Page 9

"THE DOMINION SCOUTS."

' Sir,—ln your report anent'the above,-

your issue of the Bth instant, I am reported as having strongly! expressed "myself, as to the desirability of postponing the election of the- officer commanding the abovo corps;: in fact, I was averse ,to tho election of any officers, pending further inquiries as to the attitude of a' certain acting officer commanding, of which.l shall deal with later on. lour report was correct enough, but I crave the privilege of informing you that I went further than that. I asked tho gentleman who acted.in the capacity of chairman pro tem.if'it was not a precedent in the history of volunteering to elect an officer commanding while there was already a gentleman who had been elected acting officer commanding the corps, and who by pressure of duties out of town rendered him unable to attend the meeting that evening.' Sir, I beg to submit to you tho facts of the. case, and would ask you in the name of fair play if what I contend is not a precedent. ■"■> At a fleeting of the members of the Dominion Scouts, held at Armit's Rooms some six months ago or thereabout, and on tho motion of Capt. T. J. Gardiner, Captain J. \- "•, garyimple was unanimously elected acting officer commanding the corps. Capt. Uardiner at the same time explained that by virtue'of-his office as a captain in the New Zealand Militia ho was not eligible for nomination as officer commanding. All the members of the corps, expressed themselves .Wry' pleased and satisfied with such an able and capable officer as' Captain Darvimple to guide tho destiny of their affairs. ~Now, what did; we find on attending a meeting of the membersof the new corps held at Mr. Godbars rooms on the Bth inst? Captain Gardiner was in the chair,- and when'asked where was Captain Daryimplo, he replied: "He is out of-town," and immediately proceeded with the swearing in of the .members, and by consent of some of tho men he announced h'imself a, candidate for tho position of officer commanding. A' ballot was taken, resulting in Captain being elected bv, 20 votes to o. , There was no letter, no telegram, no explanation of any kind which could enlighten us as to Captain Daryimple's extraordinary attitude, in the.matter, and much.dissatisfaction exists amongst the men, who, I am sure have no reason to congratulate themselves on '' the result of the last meeting. I am etc -'. .-■.;■.' K. CORDON MALCOLM.''' '~ :.:' Sergt. late 7th Contingent, ' ■ Wellington, April 9, 1909. .