CAPTAIN JACKSON PALMER, M.H.R. VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 30

CAPTAIN JACKSON PALMER, M.H.R. VOLUNTEERS.

THE PREMIER'S REPLY. AUCKLAND, January 28. Captain Jackson Palmer. M.H.R., who volunteered- for service in South Africa, has received the following telegram from the Defence Minister:— "Your volunteering for service in South Africa does you credit, and 1 would gladly grant you a commission were it not that I last session refused Captain »ymes (member for Egmont), and I have * ms *»nw to give the same reply to Captain Lethbndge. lam afraid, considering your constitution is not over-strong, the hardships would do you permanent injury. The example shown by you stands out in bold relief and is to your credit, and I thank you very much therefor.— R. J. Seddox." Captain Palmer has telegraphed urging the Minuter to reconsider his decision

. WELLINGTON. February 1. Ihere ss murh speculation as to who will lommand the. ninth contingent. One possj. bihty w that no colonel will be chosen, tait that the contingent will be attached to the New Zealand Division under Colonel Davis, in which case it will gail under battalion leaders, one of whom (Captain H. I>~ Jackson, for the South Island battalion) bas already been chosen. In case a colonel should be chosen, the possible appointees are said- tc he Colonels riobin, Newall, and Porter, or' Major Owen. Applicante for commissions should make tlieraatire> applications ns officers or troopers — i.e., they should apply to the Recruiting Board for acceptance* a3 troopers and to the officer commanding' the district for commissions, in order to avoid disappointment. WANGANUI, February 1. For the rinth contingent 247 applica:ions have already b«en received for Wanjanui'a quota of 25 trcopers. NAPIER. February 1. Ninety applications 1^ c been received

here for the Hawkers Bay detachment of the ninth contingent. A large number have als-j volunteered at Dannevirke.