A.—2

30

Non-commissioned officers and men shall be permitted to reckon any former or present service necessary to render them eligible for the medal. The medal for distinguished conduct in the field may be worn with either the Meritoriousservice Medal or with the Good-conduct Medal. A soldier awarded the Meritorious-service Medal will not be required to surrender the Goodconduct Medal, if in possession thereof, but he may not wear the latter. Notification of all awards of medals for meritorious service, for distinguished conduct, and for long service and good conduct shall be published in General and Begimental Orders. Loss and Replacement. When a soldier is unable to produce his medal the fact is to be reported, with a view to inquiry as to the cause of the loss being made by a Board. The Board is to take evidence from an officer of the soldier's unit as to the man's character, and when no testimony except that of the soldier himself is forthcoming, the Board, except in very special circumstances the nature of which it will record, will take his character into account in forming its opinion. The Board will record its opinion as to whether the loss occurred : (a) When the soldier was on duty, and from causes entirely beyond his control; (b) by accident; (c) wilfully. In cases under (a) and (b) applications to replace the lost medals may be at once submitted, accompanied by an extract of the finding of the Board, but the replacement at the public expense will not be recommended unless the loss is proved to come under (a). In cases under (c) the soldier, if convicted of making away with his medal, must serve three years clear of an entry in the regimental defaulters' book before he can be recommended for the grant of a new medal, on paying the value thereof. Applications from ex-soldiers for new medals to replace those which have been lost by them must be accompanied by a statutory declaration as to the circumstances under which the original medals were lost. New medals will not be issued until a period of six months has elapsed after the date upon which the loss occurred.

No. 40. (No. 52.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd May, 1901. With reference to my despatch (No. 25) of the 14th March, I have the honour to forward to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the War Office enclosing extracts from a report in regard to the alleged discomfort experienced by the troops on board the " Harlech Castle " during the voyage from South Africa. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 26.

Enclosures. Sib— War Office, London, S.W., 17th April, 1901. In continuation of my letter of the Ist March, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, a copy of a letter with enclosure which has been received from the General Commanding Lines of Communication, Capetown, in regard to the alleged discomfort experienced by the troops on board the s.s. " Harlech Castle " on the voyage from South Africa to Australia in November last. I am to state that, in view of this, and the reports which accompanied my letter of the Ist ultimo, Mr. Brodrick is of opinion that no justification exists for the complaints brought to notice by the Governor of New Zealand regarding the treatment of colonial troops on the voyage in question. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. W. D. Waed.

Sir,— The Castle, Capetown, 12th March, 1901. With reference to War Office letter No. 120/ Cape/ 1844, dated the 9th February, regarding complaints from the Premier and Governor of New Zealand respectively, in regard to the discomfort caused to the troops on board the transport " Harlech Castle " on the voyage from South Africa to Australia in November last, I have the honour to forward the enclosed copy of report on the subject from the Principal Naval Transport Officer, in which I concur. I have, &c, Peed. Foeestiee Walkee, Lieut.-General, Commanding Troops Lines of Communication, South Africa. The Under-Secretary of State for War, War Office, London, S.W.