THE COMMANDER OF THE EIGHTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7293, 4 January 1902, Page 4

THE COMMANDER OF THE EIGHTH.

It is reported' that Colonel Davies has defclined the command of the Eighth Contingent, and, xtnfortunately, there are good grounds for believing that the report is «orrect. Colonel Davies, it is said, accepted *ih* position on the understanding that he (Would be allowed to select his own officers. JFhis was denied him, and consequently he his acceptance. We have no intention now of criticising the propriety of /Colonel Davies' g action. Much- as we reSgret that any obstacle should have stood in the way of his taking command of the {Eighth Contingent, "we fully, recognise that he, and he alone, must be the best judge tof tbe line he should take. But we repeat pre are exceedingly sorry that the outcome jof the matter should have been the withjdrawal of an officer from a command which be is singularly well fitted to hold. A successor will not be easy to find. The num- / faer of officers capable of filling the position is limited, and, unfortunately, but a few of that number are available. Colonel Jowsey has been suggested, and no doubt be would do very well, and a similar remark v applies to Major Owen, the Actang-Com- / anandant. The latter, however, might have Borne difficulty in obtaining, leave of absence. In default of either of these two officers, it has been suggested that Major Smith should be appointed. The suggestion fthay have emanated from Major Smith's tfriends, or may have been made in jest. (Tn the one case it is more creditable to the loyalty than the commonsense of Major Smith's friends, if they suppose that he is a . fit and proper person to- command the / contingent j and in the other it is rather : ft poor joke. In any event, we hope that nothing more will be heard of the suggestion.