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The Officers of the Corps also continue to render good service; they set an admirable example to the Non-Commnissioned Officers and Men under their command, and do as much as possible to promote the efficiency of the Corps.
14. Corps Quartermaster Sergeant G. WATLING has discharged his duties in a most satisfactory manner, and has rendered very efficient service in connection with the various gun practices, com- petitions, etc., during the year, and particularly at the Camp of Instruction.
15. The Instructors for the Field Battery, "A" Machine Gun Co., Band, Signalling, and Am- bulance Classes, have proved themselves very efficient and painstaking, and have discharged their duties to my entire satisfaction.
16. The Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Corps have, with few exceptions attended regularly and shewn a praiseworthy desire to make themselves smart and efficient; their conduct and good feeling in Camp and on all occasions has been exceedingly good.
REGULATIONS,
17. The proposed new Regulations for the Corps were, after many various alterations and after much care and thought on the part of Major Sir J. W. CARRINGTON, Knt., C.M.G., submitted through you for His Excellency the General Officer Commanding, and His Excellency the Governor-in- Council's approval on the 4th instant.
The recommendations of the Committee held last year on the interior economy, etc., of the Corps, and sanctioned by C.S.O. No. 2581, dated 17th January, 1899, have been embodied in them.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
18. The Annual Inspection of the Corps by His Excellency the Major-General Commanding was held on the 29th ultimo.
The parade state on that occasion is shewn in Enclosure No. 6.
19. Surgeon-Captain F. O. STEDMAN, M.D. (Lond.), again conducted a course of lectures on Ambulance Work, accompanied with Stretcher Drills. 9 members presented themselves for examination, which was conducted by Major WATSON, R.A. Medical Corps; of the examinates 8 were successful.
20. I have to request that the Chief Ordnance Officer, China, may be asked to keep up the usual quantities of 7-pounder R.M.L. Gun Ammunition for use of the Corps, to be indented for as required on repayment. Very little more Martini-Henry Carbine Ammunition, ball or blank, will, it is thought, be required by the Corps as the re-arming with the new Carbine of 303 calibre has been sanctioned, and it is hoped they will be received during the ensuing summer.
21. The Local Government having sanctioned the proposels of the Committee held on the 29th September, 1898, it is felt that the sult of their proposals cannot fail to add to the general efficiency of the Corps.
22. During the past season attention has been drawn to the necessity for the re-arming of the Field Battery with a more modern gun than the 7-pounder R.M.L. in their possesion. The question has been gone into fully (Vide this Office No. & dated 15th March, 1899,) and it is hoped that the newest pattern gun may be supplied to the Corps.
23. Attention has also been drawn (Vide this Office No. 3, dated 14th February, 1899,) to the unserviceable state of the 120 Machine Gun belts on Corps charge, and the question of replacing the *45 with 303" barrels to the 12 machine guns on Corps charge has also been gone into (Vide this Office No. 88, dated 17th April, 1899).
24. The report of the Committee of Officers of the Corps on the question of uniform of the several ranks of the Corps was embodied in the new draft Regalations submitted recently for approval.
25. Requisitions for the Capitation Grant for Efficients and Proficients have been sent direct to the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer.
26. It will be seen from this report that the progress of the Corps remains good and the interest shewn by the Government and the Legislature during the past season cannot but have a good effect on the Corps in general.
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Major Sir J. W. CARRINGTON, Kat., C.M.G, and Commandant, proceeded on leave on the 5th instant, from which date I assumed command,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
R. B. MAINWARING, Colonel, Acting Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.