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32. An Ambulance Class was conducted by Captain F. O. STEDMAN, M.D., nine members of the Corps presented themselves for examination, of whom 8 qualified.
33. Confidential correspondence was carried on during the year with the Colonial Defence Committee on the subject of the Organization of the Corps and it was finally decided that the Artillery portion of the Corps should in future carry out Moveable Armament and Maxin Gun duties and not drill with the fixed armament in the Forts.
This decision was communicated to the members of the Corps on parade on February 16th, 1904. I hope that this decision may check the further decrease
in the numbers.
34. In my report last year I mentioned that it had been sanctioned that a shed should be put up at Kowloon to contain an engine and search light instal- lation for special instruction of the Volunteers.
On February 3rd, 1904, I received information that this building had been completed, but that the engine and light were required to complete the defences. I hope that these may soon be replaced, the Engineer Company has decreased in strength to 21 at the present time, and it would be advisable to endeavour to popularize this useful portion of the Corps by enabling them to do their technical drills without proceeding in every case to the forts.
35. The question of suitable Head Quarters for the Corps still remains un- settled.
36. A Kitson Light installation (2 lamps) was approved and fitted up on the parade ground in December, 1903.
This has proved a great convenience and enabled the Gun Drill, laying, etc. with 15-Pr. B. L. and Maxim Guns to be carried out under better conditions than formerly.
SERVICES.
37. Major A. CHAPMAN took over the duties of Acting Commandant during my absence on leave from June 3rd to August 19th, 1903, and has always afforded me valuable assistance in all matters concerning the welfare of the Corps.
The other Officers of the Corps have also, in almost every case, rendered excellent service and set a good example to the Non-Commissioned Officers and men by their attendance at drills and their endeavours to promote the efficiency of the Corps.
Sergeant-Major W. HIGBY, R. G. A., joined the Staff at the commencement of the Annual Camp and from the date of taking over his duties has proved him- self a zealous, hardworking Non-Commissioned Officer, and has made himself popular with all ranks in the Corps.
First Class Armourer Sergeant J. T. HAWKS has fulfilled his duties in a very satisfactory manner.
The duties of Orderly Room Clerk have been performed by Yeung Shi-Chai, who has now been put on the permanent Staff of the Corps, he has done his work well and during the period between September 27th and October 16th, whilst I was without the services of a Sergeant-Major, he greatly assisted in the heavy clerical work entailed by the arrangements for the Camp.
I have, &c.,
C. G. PRITCHARD, Major,
Commandant and Adjutant,
Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
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