TWO CAPTAINS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 107, 7 May 1909, Page 3

TWO CAPTAINS.

PLIGHT OF THE DOMINION 7 SCOUTS. A WAY OUT OF THE DEADLOCK.' DECISION OF AN INFORMAL MEETING.

About twenty od<3 members of the Dominion Scouts assembled last evening in Mr. J. W. Dalrymplc't, ioom&, the advertised place of meeting, Messrs. Thomson and Brown's offices, not being available, owing to a misunderstanding. The Rev. D. C. Bates, Captain-Chap-lain of the corps, was unanimously elected to the chair. He briefly recited the facts leading up .to the present deadlock. Captain (Jrardiner had told him that he was willing to make way for Captaii 1 Dalrymple as officer commanding the corps. CAPTAIN DALRYTMPLE'S CASE. Captain Dalrymple said he had not come to the meeting to i fight Captain Gardiner for the position of officer commanding the corps. He had written to Captain Gardiner, stating that he wished to adjust matters in reference to the business affairs of the Scouts. With regard to the position of commanding officer, the speaker said business had called him away from town. He had asked Captain Gardiner to wire him to Damievirke when the Scouts were gazetted. Correspondence was read by the speaker between Captain Gardiner and himself, including the telegram mentioned. He had no objection to Captain Gardiner being placed in command, but the volunteer regulations were absolutely against such an appointment. Captain Gardiner had admitted the illegality of his position, but refused to put liis decision in writing until he had consulted Colonel Bauchop. The regulations expressly, stated that a colonel had to retire at 60, a major at 55, and a captain at 50. This was a bar to Captain Gardiner holding the position of captain of the Scouts. Captain Gardiner was, no doubt, ignor,ant of this at the time. "So," concluded Captain Dalrymple, "Captain Gardiner is out of it and I'm not in it." Captain Dalrymple then retired to allow the matter to be discussed. THE MEETING'S DECISION. Mr. Rubrick then moved : "That the offer of Captain Gardiner to resign in favour of Captain Dalrymple, conveyed through Captain-Chaplain Bates, be accepted, and that he be thanked /for his services as hon. secretary of the corps" Mr. K. Malcolm seconded. The opinion was expressed that the meeting had no power to appoint Captain Dalrymple to the office. The chairman said the position was simply that Captain Gardiner had offered to resign in favour of Captain Dalrymple, who would be acting-officer pro tern.' Voice : Then Captain Dalrymple will hold a temporary position. Another voice : I contend we don't know where we are. The motion was then put to the vote, and declared carried unanimously. " BULL-AND-BUSHED." A member did not vote, explaining that he did not understand the position. The chairman explained it once more. Voice : We are still in a fog. The meeting is not legal, as Captain Gardiner is not present. / Another voice : We are "bull-and-'bushed." The recalcitrant member at last put up his hand, protesting that a proper meeting should be called with Captain Gardiner in attendance. Captain Dalrymple was then recalled to heai the result of the deliberations. The chairman explained that it was impossible to go any further with an informal gathering. "We're in a nasty position," concluded the captain-chaplain. WHAT IS THE POSITION ? A member : In the eveiit of Captain Gardiner not sending in his resignation, what is the position ? The chairman : That is what we want to find out. Captain Dalrymple : I am sure, if you see Colonel Bauchop, he will advise you what to do. The appointment of a deputation to interview Colonel Bauchop followed. Dr. Wallace M'Kenzie and Messrs. Malcolm, Hyde, Tester, and the chairman were chosen to wait upon Colonel j Bauchop, O.C. of the district, to dis- ' cuss the position with regard to the Dominion Scouts, and seek his advice as to future steps. Voice : Do we understand that Caplain Dalrymple is officer commanding j the corps at the present time? The chairman smiled, and reckoned it would need a Philadelphia lawyer to decide. The position was difficult. A vote of thanks was proposed to Captain Dalrymple for the use of his rooms. The captain suggesteu that not all the men were sworn in, and some had told him that they would not be sworn in until matters were settled. A vote of thanks to the chairman was then carried, and the meeting concluded.