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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 15тп JULY, 1899.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.---No. 401.
The following Reports on the Hongkong Volunteer Corps are published.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th July, 1899.
J. II. STEWART LOCKUART, Colonial Secreta y.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEERS,
From the General Officer Comezanding in China and Hongkong, To His Excellency the Governor, Hongkong.
HEAD QUARTER OFFICE, Hongkong, 3rd May, 1899.
Sin,---I have the honour to enclose the Commandant's report of the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season of 1898-99.
I made the Annual Inspection of the Corps on March 29th. There were very few absentees, the men turned out well, their arms and equipment clear, their drill good. I was therefore pleased with the Inspection. But previous to the Inspection I had given several opportunities to the Corps to turn out at their own hour, to act in conjunction with the Regular Troops, and I confess that I was dis. appointed at finding that comparatively small numbers availed themselves of the opportunity presente:1
to them.
I think that perhaps there had sprung up a feeling that the services of the Hongkong Volunteers were not as highly appreciated as I, at any rate, do rate and appreciate the importance of their services in this Colony.
Secing this I took the opportunity of placing Colonel MatNWARING, Commanding 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers, in temporary Command, in place of Major Sir Jons CARRINGTON, who had gone on leave.
The result of the energy displayed by this officer is already most apparent, and I look forward to ine sed eliciency and strength during this forthcoming year. It will be my duty as it is my place to encourage this to the utmost of my ability.
I would call special attention to my previous letters respecting the advisability of hastening the issue of the already approved Small Arms, and also that the Maxims and 7-pounder guns shall be replaced by more modern weapons.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
His Excellency
W. J. GASCOIGNE,
Major-General.
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Major-General GASCOIGNE, C.M.G.,
$.c.,
&c.,
St.
I am glad to find so favourable a report and I fully appreciate the interest taken in the force by Your Excellency and the energy shown by Colonel MAINWARING.
6th May, 1899.
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H. A. BLAKE,
Governor.