814
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
Training 1894-95.
From the Acting Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps, to Deputy
Assistant Adjutant General (A.), China.
HEAD QUARTERS,
1. Nominal Roll of Effici-
ents, F. By.
HONGKONG, CHINA, 16th April, 1895.
SIR,-I have the honour to forward the documents as per margin, connected
2. Nominal Roll of Effici- with the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season 1894-95, for the
ents, M. G. Co.
3. Musketry Return, F. By.
information of His Excellency the Lieutenant-General Commanding and favour of
4. Musketry Return, M. & transmission to His Excellency the Governor.
Co.
5. Report of Gun Practice,
F. By.
M. G. Co.
The appointment of Mr. WATLING, so strongly recommended by the late Acting 6. Report of Gun Practice, Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel F. B. JERRARD, has proved most satisfactory. 7. Copy Inspection State. The arms, clothing, equipment and stores are now properly looked after and the 8. Requisition for Capita- books are up to date.
tion Grant.
The substitution of coolie for pony draft has proved a great success.
The Officers have assisted me greatly by their regular attendance at drills, and by the example they have set, and I feel that the increased efficiency of the Corps is largely due to their efforts.
The Non-Commissioned Officers are nearly all most zealous and have shewn a good example to the men by regular attendance at parades, and by the interest they take in their work.
With regard to the men I notice that the increase in the number of efficients over last year is as under:
Field Battery,
Maxim Gun Company,
.......17
7
I venture to recommend that khakee and blue putties be substituted for the summer clothing worn at present by the Field Battery. The Maxim Gun Company retaining their present uniform. Should this proposal meet with approval I would respectfully suggest that brown leather belts be substituted for the pipe clayed buff accoutrements now worn by the Field Battery.
I think that the drill season as at present fixed is not sufficiently elastic. Lieutenant-Colonel F. JERRARD on handing over to me mentioned that this was also his opinion. It is not easy to obtain good musters at any parades after April 1st. I would ask that sanction may be given for the drill season to commence on October 1st and close on 31st March. I feel certain that this alteration would enable members to attend the requisite number of drills with less inconvenience to themselves and their employers than is the case at present. In England the drill season is during the summer months, and the minimum duration is four months.
Since last inspection the rest of the building used as Head Quarters has been handed over, and will be furnished as a recreation room for members of the Corps. I am strongly of opinion that the handing over of the building will eventually prove very beneficial to the Corps generally.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
ARTHUR R. PEMBERTON,
Acting Commandant,