On May 30, 1864 the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps paraded in full strength to pay respects to Governor Kennedy. The governor reviewed the company and stated in his address that he regretted that he was compelled to refuse to give them official recognition, as there was no authority for their existence now that the Hudson’s Bay Company’s administrative posts were at an end —“I would advise you to disband.”
The Corps Captain later wrote to the Daily British Colonist, providing as an explanation of why the Company disbanded that “they cannot readily forget the snubbing they received [from Governor Kennedy] … the authorities seemed ashamed of us, and we were disgusted at them.”
Although the Corps disbanded, their legacy endured with their drill hall continuing in use as a community gathering place.
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