424
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS. TRAINING, 1898-1899.
From Colonel R. B. Mainwaring, Acting Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps
To the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.
VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS,
VICTORIA, 17th April, 1899.
1. Nominal Roll of Efficients, SIR,I have the honour to forward herewith the documents mentioned
Field Battery, 2. Nominal Roll of Efficients in the margin relating to the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for "A" Machine Gun Com the season of 1898-99 for the information of His Excellency the Major-General 3. Report on Gun Practice, Field (ommanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Governor.
pany.
Battery,
4. Report on Gun Practice, "A
נו
Machine Gun Company.
5. Return of Revolver Practice of
6. Copy of Inspection State,
ESTABLISHMENT.
Officers and Staff Sergeants. 2. It will be seen by Enclosure 7, with the corresponding document for 7. State of Corps 16th April, 1899. the training 1897-98, that the total strength of the Corps is now 181 of all ranks, as against 176 of all ranks at the former date. This is the greatest strength to which the Corps has yet attained since its re-organization in 1893.
During the past season, 3 members have died, 12 have been struck off the strength for non- efficiency, and 26 have resigned. Of the resigning members, 12 have left the Colony and 1 has been discharged on Medical Certificate. 46 new members have been enrolled.
The Field Battery now numbers 117 and the "A" Machine Gun Company numbers 58 as com- pared with an Establishment of 80 and 51 respectively.
The new draft Regulations submitted to you under this Office No. 3 of 4th instant make provision for 3 Machine Gun Companies (the requisite guns for them are all in stock) and also a small Engineer Company. Immediately on the approval of the Governor-in-Council to these Regula- tions, I shall proceed to raise the Engineer Company and every endeavour will be made to raise the other 2 Machine Gun Companies during the ensuing drill season.
3. The Fife and Drum Band of the Corps is making great effort to obtain proficiency and the draft Regulations submitted allow of its existence, and give substantive rank to the Non-Commissioned Officers employed with it.
The thanks of all Ranks of the Corps are especially due to the Officers Commanding the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and the 2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers for so kindly lending their Bands to the Corps on the many occasions found necessary and also the services of their Sergeant Drummers as Instructors, who have brought the Fife and Drum Band of the Corps up to the standard of efficiency it has reached.
4. The changes among the Officers of the Corps during the season have been :—
His Excellency Sir W. ROBINSON, G.C.M.G., Honorary Colonel of the Corps, vacated his appointment on the 21st January, 1899, and not as stated in the last Training Report of the Corps.
His Excellency Sir H. A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of this Colony and its dependencies, has very kindly accepted the appointment of Honorary Colonel to the Corps.
Captain L. A. C. GORDON, Royal Artillery, Adjutant of the Corps, resigned his appoint- ment on the 10th April, 1899, on proceeding to England on leave. This Officer during his services as Adjutant to the Corps extending over a period of 44 years, has done much good work for the Corps, and his departure is much regretted by all Ranks.
Captain W. ST. C. BLAND, Royal Artillery, took over the duties of Adjutant of the Corps from 11th instant.
Surgeon-Lieutenant F. O. STEDMAN, M.D., (Lond.), was promoted to Surgeon-Captain on the 15th February, 1899.
Mr. A. H. LEE-NORMAN was appointed Supernumerary Lieutenant in the Field Battery on the 25th November, 1898, and was appointed Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the- Governor; this Officer resigned his Commission on the 4th February, 1899, on leaving the Colony.
Captain E D. SANDERS, "A" Machine Gun Company, was appointed an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the Governor on the 9th instant.