In view of the fact that armed forces of the enemy have invaded this Colony, and that parties of them have penetrated south of Carnarvon in one direction and south of the town of Middelburg in another, and in view of the necessity for repelling such invasion as promptly as possible, the Government of this Colony has decided to call upon the loyal inhabitants, more especially of certain districts thereof mentioned in the annexed schedule, to aid the efforts which the military forces of her Majesty are making in that direction. It is contemplated to raise a special force, to be called the Colonial Defence Force, to be utilised for the sole and exclusive purpose of repelling the present invasion, guarding railways and other lines of communication, and maintaining order and tranquillity in districts in which such measures are necessary. Volunteers are called for to give in their names with a view to enrolment in this force to the Civil Commissioner of the division in which they reside, or to any officer specially appointed for that purpose, and whose appointment has been publicly notified. Applicants should state: (_a_) Whether they can ride and shoot. (_b_) Whether they are prepared to serve as mounted men, and if so, whether they can provide their own horses, saddles, and bridles. (_c_) Whether they are prepared to serve only in their own district or in any part of the Colony, it being clearly understood that the services of this force will not be utilised anywhere outside the boundaries of this Colony. Persons whose services are accepted by the Government will receive pay at the rate of 5s. a day, with 2s. 6d. extra to those supplying their own horses, saddles, and bridles. Rations, forage, and arms will be provided. Pay of officers and non-commissioned officers in proportion. It is not expected that the term of service will be longer than three months. The force will be under military control, but officers under the rank of Major will, as far as possible, be elected by the members of the force. J. GORDON SPRIGG. SCHEDULE. _List of Districts to which this Notice is Specially Applicable._ Cape Town and Cape Division Paarl Stellenbosch Worcester Prince Albert Beaufort West Port Elizabeth Uitenhage Jansenville Aberdeen Graaf-Reinet Cradock Somerset East Bedford Fort Beaufort Albany Bathurst Victoria East Queen's Town Cathcart Stutterheim King William's Town Komgha East London Peddie Any person resident in any other district and desirous of joining the force may send in his name to the nearest Civil Commissioner. (Government Notice No. 8, 1901.)