SUBJECT:
HONGKONG.
REPORT ON THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of
His Excellency the Governor,
381
No. 19
1901
H. K. V. CORPS..
From the General Officer Commanding in China and Hongkong
to His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong.
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
HEAD QUARTERS,
HONGKONG, 2nd May, 1901.
SIR, I have the honour to forward the Commandant's Report on the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the past year.
I am glad to see that the numerical strength of the Corps has attained the highly creditable total of 366 of all ranks; a strength that I hope may be maintained, but, I think, need not be increased.
66
E", the Engineer Company, has done specially useful work in assisting the Royal Engineers in working the Electric Light Installations. Major MOULD, R.E., speaks very highly of the attain- ments of some of the men, but of others he says they have put in very few attendances and require more training. As very highly trained men are required for these duties, I hope that the company will make a point of maintaining a superior standard of efficiency in this branch of technical military training.
In para. 33 the Commandant states that no Rifle Range was at the disposal of the Corps. No application for a range was made, and I may say that, if made, a range would have been allotted to him, for I hold that volunteers should be proficients in rifle shooting.
Para, 35.--A Revolver Range is situated near the Racquet Court, and could very easily have been made available if an application had been made for it.
Para. 44.--I hope that next autumn Stonecutters' may be at the service of the Corps for its Annual Camp of Instruction.
At the parade for my Annual Inspection, I am glad to say that the numbers attending were good, an increase over that of last year, although I had again to call attention to the fact that there were too many "Absent without leave." I understand that the majority of these absentees had left the Colony, either permanently or for a few months. In either case leave should have been applied
for.
The parade itself was good. The men were steady in the ranks; the arms clean; the clothing of uniform pattern; and the movements executed showed a marked improvement over the two previous occasions when I have inspected this Corps. I am satisfied that the Corps has taken itself seriously and is anxious to show that it is a reliable factor in the defence of the Colony.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
W. J. GASCOIGNE,
Major General,
Commanding in China and Hongkong.