An extraordinary general meeting of the Shanghai Volunteer Cor was held on Monday afternoon in the Municipal Council Board Room.
Major Brodie Clarke, who presided, said the meeting was called to elect a Commanding Officer of the Corps in consequencepf a notification from the Council that it was necessary that Major Mackenzie should devote the whole of his time to the Police, and consequently was unable to hold the position of Commandant of the Corps. The officers of the Corps had a meeting and decided to represent that the Corps should have a military adjutant. The Council acknowledged the letter and said they wished the Corps to proceed with the election. The officers next had an interview with the Council with regard to the appointment of a military adjutant, and the Council gave the officers to understand the matter would have their early consideration. Since then the mutter had been very thoroughly gone into by the oticers and they were still of opinion that a military adjutant was necessary for the maintenance of the proper discipline of the Corps and its proper efficiency. They all knew what Major Mackenzie did whilst he was in command of the Corps, and he (Major Clarke) was only voicing the unanimous feeling when he said they Very highly appreciated Major Mackenzie's services. (Hear, hear.) He should like to place on record a vote of thanks to Major Mackenzie for what he did whilst adjutant and senior officer. (Applause.) There bad been a difficulty.in getting anyone to accept the command, and upon Major Mackenzie's retirement it devolved upon him (Major Clarke). But he did not feel sfticiently conversant with infantry drill. He had, however, a gentleman Mr. Holliday resigned the Corps as he di propose, Mr. Geeil Holliday. Applause.) not agree with the other officers with regard to the appointment of a military adjutant, but that difficulty had been got over, and consequently he had much pleasure in proposing Mr. Cecil Holliday. (Applause.)
Private I. Turner enquired what would be Major Clarke's future position.
Major Clarke said he would retain his position as Major of the battalion. that the Municipal Council had treated Private Turner proceeded to complain the Volunteers very cavalierly. Major Mackenzie was only appointed Commanding Oficer some six months ago, but the new Council upon coming into office proceeded to take from the Corps the commanding officer given by their predecessors. The Volunteers did not give their services out of consideration for the Municipal Council, and he thought they were entitled to more attention than had been paid them.
Major Clarke said there was no doubt a good deal in what had been said, but it wa pretty certain the Corps would have a mil tary adjutant.
lieut. Whittall asked what guarantee there was that Major Holliday would not revert to his previous opinion.
Capt. Rex said he thought they recognised that Mr. Holliday was a gentleman; he had said he would waive the point, and, if he had done so, he would not bring it up again.
Captain Dowdall seconded the nomination of Mr. Holliday with very much pleasure.
The resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.
The Chairman said he would like to propose a vote of thanks to Major Mackenzie for what he had done whilst in command of the Corps.
Captain Rex seconded, and suggested that the Council should be asked to appoint Major Mackenzie to the retired list, so that he would be able to wear the uniform and be present in an official capacity on various occasions in connection with the Corps.
The proposal was carried by acclamation. he believed that as soon as the Council had Major Clarke, in reply to a question, said completed the new schemes they were formulating, a military adjutant would be appointed.
The proceedings then terminated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.