HONGKONG.
249
No. 23
98
REPORTS ON THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
(From The General Officer Commanding in China and Hongkong to His Excellency
the Officer Administering the Government, Hongkong.)
HEAD QUARTER OFFICE, HONGKONG, 30th April, 1898.
SIR,-I have the honour to enclose the Commandant's report of the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season 1897-98.
2. I made the annual inspection of the Corps on the 14th instant, when the men turned out well and looked healthy and fit for work; with one exception they performed their drill on the uneven parade ground in a satisfactory manner.
3. The 7-pr. Guns, Maxims, Arms, and Equipment appear to be in a serviceable condition, but I understand from the Commandant's report that the carbines are old and worn out. I have already communicated with the Colonial Government on this subject and recommended that the Corps be re-armed with either the 303 Lee-Metford Carbine or the Martini-Enfield Carbine.
4. I observe, with great pleasure, that Gun Practice with the Field Battery and Maxim Guns has taken place far more frequently than in any former drill season, that the members of both units take great interest in these practices and are shooting better; which is after all the main object of Volunteer training.
5. The annual camp of instruction at Stonecutters' Island was again well attended in October, and the Commandant's report shows that the practical duties of Outpost, Reconnoitreing, Field Firing, etc., practised there have borne good results, in addition to which the nine days outing is greatly appreciated by all ranks and doubtless helps recruiting and engenders a soldierly spirit.
6. Several men were absent from the General Inspection Parade.
7. I recognize the zeal and energy of Major Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, and am glad to find that he is so well supported by the Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers under his command in all that concerns the welfare of the Corps; in fact, the smallness of numbers is the main fault that can be urged against the Hongkong Volunteers, a shortcoming which, I trust, all ranks will do their best to remedy.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS. TRAINING 1897-98.
Your obedient Servant,
W. BLACK, Major-General.
(From the Commandant, Hongkong Volunteers Corps, to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.)
1. Nominal Roll of Efficients.
Field Battery.
VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS,
HONGKONG, 18th April, 1898.
SIR, I have the honour to forward herewith the documents mentioned 2. Nominal Roll of Efficients, in the margin relating to the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps "A" Machine Gun Com- for the season 1897-98 for the information of His Excellency the General 3. Report on Gun Practice, Field Officer Commanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the
pany.
Battery.
4. Report on Gun Practice, "A"
Machine Gun Company.
5. Musketry Return, Field Bat-
tery.
6. Musketry Return, "A"
Ma-
7. Return of Revolver Practice of
Governor.
ESTABLISHMENT.
2. A comparison of Enclosure No. 9 with the corresponding document chine Gun Company. for the training of 1896-97 shows that the total strength of the Corps is now Officers and Staff Sergeants. 176, of all ranks as against 159 of all ranks at the former date. This is the 9. State of Corps, 16th April, 1898. greatest strength to which the Corps has yet attained since its re-organization
8. Copy of Inspection State.
in 1893.