The Origin and Services of the 3rd (Montreal)

". M.respected by all having the best interests of the Militia of Canada at heart, retiredfrom the Battery, after thirty-six years service in that corps, and having had thecommand with conspicuous credit to himself for no less than thirty-four years.When he handed the corps over to his successor, Major Hall, he turned it overwith allthe stores and equipment complete, an achievement on which the veteranofficer justly prides himself.Lieut.-Colonel Stevenson formally relinquished the command of the Batteryand read his farewell order at a drill parade held on the evening of April 24th.After the reading of this order, which was very affecting, by Lieut.-Colonelto whom theStevenson, a short speech was made to the Battery by Major J. S. Hall,command was turned over. In the course of his remarks Major Hall said : "I wishto say a few words with regard to the stores. Colonel Stevenson has turnedthem over without one single piece, even to the smallest iota, being missing. Youwho know what a vast amount of stores there is tolook after can well understand that this is somethingto be more than proudof."Lieut.-Colonel G. Mattice, the Brigade Major ofthe Montreal District, also delivered a few remarks,saying I can :only endorse what Major Hall hassaid in regard to the Battery stores. To me it issomething marvellous to know that nothing wasmissing. In the short space of one hour and a halfthe whole stores were turned over in perfect order,and I may say that I do not think there is anothercorpsin Canada that could show their stores in sucha condition."Major J.S. Hall held the command until February, 1895, when he was succeeded by Major GeorgeR. Hooper. During Major Hall s tenure of the command there was not much out of the ordinary in theBattery s work. It had its annual encampment oneither the Exhibition grounds or St. Helen s Island, and the usual detachmentswere sent every year to the Island of Orleans for the field firing practice.the winter.Foot drills were kept up as usual in the armoury duringMajor George R. Hooper, who succeeded Major Hall, was an accomplishedofficer, and during the last few years he had had considerable experience in thework of the Batter} , for Major Hall, being Provincial Treasurer, was often completely engrossed with his civil duties. Major Hooper was a graduateof thatexcellent institution, and the Alma Mater of so many good officers, the RoyalMilitary College, Kingston.Major Hooper graduated in 1882 in a class which included a number of Cadetswho have since distinguished themselves, notably Lieutenant Stairs, who so dis-69SKKC.KANT J. MC(,. M<)\VAT1876-1892.