HONGKONG.
REPORT ON THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS,
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
From the General Officer Commanding in China and Hongkong
to His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong,
$e..
&c.,
ife.
HEAD QUARTERS OFFICE, HONGKONG, 7th May, 1903.
No.
22
1903
SIR,I have the honour to forward, for Your Excellency's information, the Report of the Commandant of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps on the training per- formed and the general condition of the Corps during the past year.
It will be seen that there has been a falling off in numbers, but this was to be expected owing to the change in the composition of the Corps-a change which was naturally not acceptable to all former members.
But I am thoroughly satisfied that the change was a wise one, Garrison Ar- tillery and Engineers being the two units in the Garrison which require strengthen- ing, and in which the assistance of Volunteers, well trained, is of the highest value. It speaks well for the common sense and loyalty of the Corps generally that this change was so largely accepted, once it was made clear that it was in this respect that their services were most required.
With regard to Major PRITCHARD's remarks in paragraph 37 as to the present difficulties in training the men so far distant from their Head Quarters, I would inform Your Excellency that this had not escaped my observation, and that I am considering the feasibility of establishing a Drill Practice Battery at Scandal Point where both the Artillery and the Volunteers can receive practical instruction.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
HONGKONG-REPORT OF THE HONGKONG
W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,
Commanding in China and Hongkong.
50-27.6.03,
VOLUNTEER CORPS,
TRAINING SEASON 1902-1903.
From the Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps, to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.
VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS,
VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 25th April, 1903.
SIR,-I have the honour to forward herewith the following documents relating to the training, &c., of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, for the season 1902-1903, for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Governor :-
No. 1. Roll of Efficients, Right Half No. 1 Company. No. 2. Roll of Efficients, Left Half No. 1 Company. No. 3. Roll of Efficients, Right Half No. 2 Company, No. 4. Roll of Efficients, Left Half No. 2 Company. No. 5. Roll of Efficients, Engineer Company.
No. 6. Roll of Efficients, Band.
No. 7. Inspection State.
No. 8. State of Corps, 1903.
No. 9. Musketry Return, Engineer Company.