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Twenty members of the Troop, (out of a total available strength in the Colony of thirty-three), attended the Camp, with twenty-two ponies. All grooming, cleaning, of saddlery and equipment was performed by the men themselves, four mafoos only being present, i.e., one to look after O/C.'s two ponies, one in charge of fodder and two to clean up the stables. A Chinese farrier also attended, and had to reshoe no less than six ponies, notwithstanding that all had been freshly shod within two days of starting for the Camp. The granite nature of the Taipo road is very hard on. ponies" shoes, and wears then down to the thickness almost of paper in a very short time.
Some of the ponies covered as much as 100 miles during our five days of absence from Hongkong, two only returned slightly lame, one caused by a fall from a stone bridge. There were no cases of sore backs.
Our saddles and new rifle buckets (carried under the right leg), were a great success, but many of our bridles and head stalls were found to be quite rotten, the leather having perished and consequently breaking with the least strain.
We had very little trouble transporting our ponies across the harbour, but I would recommend that a good broad gangway be supplied to connect the lighter with the shore, the planks at present in use are too narrow as ponies are apt to slip off them.
It would be a great convenience if some arrangement could be made with the Star Ferry Company to carry ponies across the Harbour in their ferry boats, and if such means of transport was available it would permit of the Troop visiting the New Territories with greater frequency,
In conclusion, I think I may say that the Camp was a success in every way, the members of the Troop thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and obtained much useful knowledge of the New Territories.
All responded loyally to every call made upon them, and every man had his fair share of night sentry work.
I have, etc.,
C. H. Ross, Lieut., Commanding Hongkong Volunteer Corps.