19
No. 1908
HONGKONG.
REPORT ON THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS, FOR THE YEAR APRIL 1ST, 1905, TO MARCH 31ST, 1906,
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
1. On March 31st, 1905, the total strength of the Corps was 269 (including Chinese Orderly Room Clerk). The total strength of the Corps on March 31st, 1906, is 274 (including Chinese Orderly Room Clerk).
Table I shows the Inspection State on that date.
I hope that there will be a further increase this year when the New Head Quarters are completed.
2. During the past Season, 2 members have died, 59 have resigned (2 on Medical Certificate, 18 in the Colony and 39 on leaving the Colony), 3 have been struck off for var- ious reasons.
It is satisfactory to note that this is the smallest number that has had to be struck off for many years, and as regards the resignations, a larger proportion than usual have left the Colony.
3. 69 new members have been enrolled.
4. The Hongkong Volunteer Reserve Association has at the present date a member- ship of 230, an increase of 76 during the past twelve months. It has become a very popular association. The members have carried out a large amount of rifle practice throughout the year.and a very good average has been obtained. The members have the same privilege of obtaining ammunition at reduced cost as the Volunteers, and carry out their practice at the King's Park Range, Kowloon, which is more accessible than the Volunteer Range at Tai Hang. It has also been decided that a range shall be built for their use at the Peak.
way,
The Association has revived the interest in rifle shooting in the Colony in a wonderful and there is every reason to expect that the number of members will continue to in- crease. It is only fair to mention, however, that a certain number of recruits must necessarily be lost to the Corps annually, owing to the fact that those who are only interested in rifle shooting have greater facilities in the Reserve Association than in the Corps, but the minimum age for members of the Association is 35 years, and if this is strictly adhered to in future it should not then greatly interfere with the numbers joining the Corps.
If the members of the Reserve Association had to carry out their rifle practice at the Volunteer Range, I think it is probable that their numbers would be reduced to 20 or 30, and considering the inaccessibility of this range, I consider that the Volunteers deserve great credit for the good results obtained in the China United Services Rifle Association Meeting in which they defeated the members of the Reserve in every event. I think it would be fairer to the Corps if the facilities for rifle practice could be made at least as favourable as those for the Reserve Association.
Table II is a nominal roll of the Reserve Association.
EQUIPMENT.
5. All the members of the Corps have now been equipped with the new Short Rifle. The Volunteer Troop have been equipped with the Paterson Rifle carrying equipment, which seems satisfactory. Swords have also recently arrived from England for the Troopers.
APPOINTMENTS, &c., OF OFFICERS AND STAFF.
6. The changes amongst the Officers of the Corps during the Season have been as follows:
Staff.
Major C. G. PRITCHARD, R.A., returned from 6 months' leave of absence on September 26th, 1905.