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[Page 161]
-7-
NAVAL:
Officers - Lt. Commander Bracegirdle.
Lt. Gillam.
Lt. Webber.
Sub-Lt. Buller.
Mr. Young.
Mr. Hunter
Petty Officers - 10.
Men - 22 - Total 38:
MILITARY:
Officers - Major Martin.
Captain McPherson.
Lieut. Morrison.
do McDowell
2nd. Lieut. McLachlan.
do Quinn
do Chambers.
do Bruce
do Johnson ) Provisional Lieuts promoted from ranks.
do Collins )
do Penly )
do Blackett )
do Anderson)
Non-comm. Officers - 9
Men - 26 - Total 48.
GRAND TOTAL 90:
I referred to this matter in my despatch of 26th Novr., when I estimated that 10 per cent of all ranks would be likely to remain, but I find on going into the question that this was an over-estimate. The foregoing list applies only to the garrisons I have been able to get into communication with up to date, viz. Rabaul, Herbertshohe, Frederick Wilhelmshafen, and Bougainville, which comprise 3/4ths of the force under my command, and I anticipate that the numbers from the remaining garrisons will be in the same proportion. But these numbers will only be maintained in the event of the present scale of pay being continued; if this scale be reduced very few indeed will re-engage for Tropics.
The six months period for which the men under my command have been engaged, will expire on the 18th February '15, and as it will take some time to recall and relieve the outlying garrisons so as to concentrate here in sufficient time to reach Australia on the date of expiration of period of engagement, it is, I think, advisable to arrange that that whatever relief force it is decided upon should reach Rabaul by the middle of January; but I presume now that the force already recruited for the Islands North of the Equator will not be required in those parts, it will be utilized as portion of the relief force to my command.
On the 8th December the following message was received from Colonel Legge :-