HONGKONG.
REPORTS ON THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
INSPECTIONS.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
(From the General Officer Commanding in China and Hongkong to His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong, &c., &c., &c.)
213
No. 13
HEAD QUARTERS, HONGKONG, 26th April, 1897.
97
SIR, I have the honour to enclose the Commandant's report of the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season 1896-97.
2. As Your Excellency is aware, I personally made the annual inspection of the Hongkong Field Battery and Maxim Gun Company on the 8th instant, and now have the honour to render my report on it.
(a) The turn-out of the men was good; their 7-pr. guns, maxims, arms, and equipment are
well kept up and appear to be in serviceable condition.
(b) The Officers know their drill sufficiently well for practical purposes and the Men handle their guns exceedingly well, both on the uneven parade ground and the steep hill-sides of Hongkong.
3. From personal observation I know that the shooting of the Field Battery and Maxim Gua Company is satisfactory, and that all ranks take a considerable interest in it; but I have observed that time is often wasted and much ammunition expended in endeavours to "find the range"; this ought to be remedied by the use of range-finders at all practices at targets.
4. I notice with approval in the Commandant's report that revolver practice for Officers, which was instituted last year, has been continued with satisfactory results.
5. The annual Camp of Instruction at Stonecutters' Island bas again been well attended, and the practical duties of outpost, reconnoitring, and field firing, practised there, must bear most beneficial results.
6. The increase in the numerical strength of the Corps shows that an augmented interest is taken in volunteering. If sufficient men can be recruited, another Maxim Gun Company might be raised.
7. The Chief Ordnance Officer will be directed to keep up a supply of Martini-Henry and Gun
ammunition.
8. In conclusion, I beg to observe that in Major Sir JOHN CARRINGTON the Hongkong Volunteer Corps has obtained a most efficient Commanding Officer.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
W. BLACK,
Major-General.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS. TRAINING, 1896-97.
(From the Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps, to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.)
VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS.
HONGKONG, 17th April, 1897.
1. Nominal
Roll of Efficients,
Field Battery.
SIR,I have the honour to forward herewith the documents as per margin
2. Nominal Roll of Efficients, "A" connected with the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season
Machine Gun Co.
3. Report on Gun Practice, Field
Battery.
4. Report on Gun Practice, “A”
Machine Gun Co.
5. Musketry Return, Field Bat-
tery.
6. Musketry Return, "A" Ma-
chine Gun Co.
1896-97 for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Governor.
ESTABLISHMENT.
2. A comparison of document No. 9 with the corresponding document for the training of 1895-96 shows that the total strength of the Corps is now 7. Return of Revolver Practice of 159 of all ranks as against 125 of all ranks at the former date. This is the 8. Copy of Inspection State. greatest strength to which the Corps has yet attained since its reorganization 9. State of Corps, 16th April, 1807. in 1893. During the season one member has died, one has been discharged,
Officers and Staff Sergeants.