THE COLOMBO TOWN GUARD.That the authorities desire to have at hand ample
means for dealing with any trouble that may arise locally
as the result, whether direct or indirect, of the war, goes
without saying and it is now well-known that one of the
latest acts of the Legislature has been the legalising of
Town Guards.The formation of a Dutch Burgher Union Company
of the Colombo Town Guard is a subject which calls for
more than a passing reference, and we have therefore
much pleasure in acquainting members with the history
of the scheme so far as it concerns the Union.The subject was first considered by the General Com-
mittee at their meeting on the 3rd September, when a
resolution approving of the formation of a company of
Burghers for Town Guard service was passed. A Sub-
committee was on the same occasion appointed for the
purpose of collecting signatures of members who were
willing to join the proposed Guard, the President undertak-
ing on receipt of such list to make known to the authorities
the desire and readiness of the signatories to serve in the
Town Guard.Pending the collection of signatures, it was made
known to Sir Hector van Cuylenburg by Mr. E. B. Denham
(Principal Assistant to the Colonial Secretary) that, in
connection with the Town Guard already formed by
certain European residents of Colombo, he proposed to
organise an Administration Section, open also to members
of the permanent population. On being informed of the
steps already taken by the Union, Mr. Denham expressed
to Sir Hector the hope that the Union would support his
scheme. Mr. Denham was accordingly invited to be
present at an extraordinary meeting of the Union that
had been called for the 10th September.At this meeting, the President being in the chair,
the Honorary Secretary detailed to the gathering the steps
that had been taken in the matter. The General Com-
mittee had of course felt convinced, he said, that the
members were ready to assist the authorities to the best
of their ability in any manner and in any emergency
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