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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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THE CONTINGENT'S DEPARTURE,
[May 19, 1902.
Captain James, of the 1st Chinese Regiment. training would enable him to be of some use. | with a uniform not often seen at home." His Referring to the arrangements that had been In concluding. Major Pritchard, referring Excellency then pointed out, as he had done in made in connection with the journey, Major again o Sir John Carrington, said he was more the case of the Weihaiwei Regiment, that in Pritchard said the money available for the sorry at leaving the Corps than leaving the London they would meet some of the finest purpose had been expended to the best advan-Colony, for in Volunteer work he took the troops in the world, and he felt quite certain tage, and be thought everyone would be very keenest possible interest. It was possible that that the detachments before him would carry the contingent would be visited at Alexandra themselves in a way to reflect credit on comfortable. Concluding, he mid he should like to read in the papers that the colo.sial Park by Sir John, whose health Major Hongkong, that sent them ont. He concluded by hoping they would have a thoroughly good troops were the best part of the whole show, Pritchardd then proposed.
The toast was received with scolama.time, and that when they returned he would and that the Hongkong contingent was the best of all." Then I can pat myself on the back tion and the singing of "He's a jolly good bear the best possible reports of them.
After a few words to the Chinese sappers of and say, 'These are my men.' (Applause.) fellow," and the gathering soon after dis-
The toast was enthusiastically respond d to parsed to the strains of the National Anthem. the Royal Engineers, to whose services in the Hinterland two years ago he referred, and to with musical honours, after which Major CHAP-
whom he extended his wishes for an enjoyable MAN-replied on behalf of the contingent and
The 14th inst. marked a red-litter day in trip, His Excellency, addressing the Volunteers, expressed thanks for the exceedingly hearty
the history not only of the Colony but of the said-All ranks of the Hongkong Volunteers, it way in which it had been received. After re-
is a great honour and a great pleasure to me that echoing the words of counsel spoken by Major Hongkong Volunteer Corps, for it saw the Pritchard, he said that on Friday he had seen departure of a contingent from the regiment under me a strong detachment of the Hongkong Mr. Brown, the agent of the Canadian Pacific specially selected by the Ex-cutive Conucil of | Volunteers should go to represent Hongkong Railway Company, and from what that gentle- the Colony to represent this Far Eastern at the Coronation. Since I have been in man said it was apparent that the Company portion of the Empire at the Coronation command here, I have tried, as you know, to do meant to make the trip a most comfortable one, of His Majesty the King. The entire con- everything I can to help the Volunteers. When the Conncil unanimously decided to send in fact, a red-letter undertaking. (Applanse.) tingent which loft by the Empress of Japan on Accommodation was being provided much Wednesday numbered 83–42 Volunteer, 14 men yon as representatives of Hongkong nothing superior to that nsually given to troops, and of the Hongkong Regiment, 8 of the H.K.S. afforded me grenter pl asure, and I feel the quarters of the contingent on board the B.R.A., 13 of the 1st Chinese (Weihaiwei) Regi-perfectly certain that it will bare a lasting steamer were cool and airy-ton or fifteen ment, and 6 of the Submarine Miners (Chinese). effect on the Reriment, as regards recruiting With the exception of the Volunteers, all the and as regards the zel with which yon keep I need not tell you that degrees cooler than in the captain's cabin. For the voyage comfortable banks had troops were on board the steamer at an early up your work. been erected, and on the train ench manh nr in the morning, and thus were disap-you will be the cynosure of all would have a complete section to himself, so pointed many people who assembled later on There will be a great number of people that there could be no crowd.ng. That, he and who were hopeful that the contingent in that will look at a regiment coming from the the might tell the members of the contingent, its entirety would be marched down to one of Far East. You will have to rub shoulders would be provided without any expense to them, the piers on the Praya for embarkation. The with the fin st troops in the world - although at first there was a possibility of Volunteers paraded at Headquarters at nine Imperial troops, the Household troops of Eng- their being required to pay so much. (Lond o'clock, and presented a very smart, soldier-like land; and I feel perfect confidence that you applause.) Mr. Brown, in addition, had written appearance as they started for Murray Pier, will carry yourselves in such a way as to reflect beaded by the band of the Royal Welsh Fasi-credit upon Hongkong that sends you out. I on ahead asking that special arrangements be
thoroughly good time made for the welfare of the contingent. liers. At the latter place they fell out in order hope you will have a (Renewed applause.) After detailing articles to say au revoir to those friends who were while you are there, and I feel perfectly certain of kit necessary for the journey and advising unable to go on board the Empress boat, and that when I welcome you back I shall hear the each man not to forget in the excitement of when the leave-takings were over the men took best possible reports of you. I have tried in getting ready to take everything that their places on the launch waiting for them.every way I can to help you on. I have would be required, Major Chapman con- Just before she moved away the, crowd on the written to my friend, the General Officer cluded: “I have nothing to say now except pier gave three chers for the contingent, which, Commanding the Home District, asking him to thank you once more for the very hearty led by Major Chapman, replied with three more as a personal friendship to myself to look Then, to the tune of "When after you and help you. I have also asked send-off you have given us, and I trust that and a "tiger." when we come back we shall meet with the Johnny Comes Marching Home," the little vessel him to detail a senior non-commissi ›ned officer knowledge that we have done our duty not steamed away to where the great white liner from my old regiment, the Scots Guards, to be only to the Corps but to the Colony. (Applause,) lay at her moorings, Every man's baggage had with you and therefore to help you on in every In proposing the health of Major Pritchard, already been shipped and the lighter luggage way possible. I need not tell you that I shall Major CHAPMAN said that the appointment of required on the voyage placed on the bunk al- have plenty of people who will tell me all about the former to be Commandant of the Corps in located to him, so that when the men stepped you afterwards, and therefore I am perfectly succession to Sir John Carrington was the most on board and went down to their quarters there certain I shall hear the best possible reports of popular one that could have been made. (Hear, was no confusion as to where to find their yon. I wish you all luck and hope you will These quarters
the enjoy yourselves thoroughly. (Applause.) hear.)
belongings. after part of the ship, separated from and much superior to the accommodation provided forward for the Indian and Chinese troops.
The toast having been honoured most enthusiastically, Major PRITCHARD, who on rising was received with prolonged applause, said in reply that when at Singapore.he knew the appointment was to be offered him, but the question was whether he should accept it, as the position was a very dif- ficult one to fill, especially for a young man who had only been a captain for two years. He hesitated for a time before definitely accepting the offer to fill the post left vacant by the retire ment of Sir John Carrington, who was deserved- ly the most popular man in the Colony and showed his wonderful abilities not only in his position as Commandant of the Volunteer Corps, but in every position be held in the Colony. (Applause.) When Sir John resigned, Major Pritchard said he was asked what he thought about it, and be declared that the best thing for the Corps was to get as Commandant a civilian in a high position such as Sir John's. Unfortunately no one came forward, and he was then asked if he thought it would be a good thing to have a soldier commandant. He had no idea then that he was to be offered the appointment, and he replied in the affirmative. Following that came his own appointment as Commandant of the Corps. (Applause.) As its Adjutant, continued & ajor Pritchard, he had had an extremely good time and was responsible for nothing, Now he was Commandant, with all the responsibilities of the office, and whilst he remained with it he hoped the Corps would increase in strength and in value. (Applause.) He had always taken an interest in the Corps, and naturally that interest was intensified now. It was possible that should the occasion arise they would be asked to do all sorts of things and probably be turned into Garrison artillery men, and in the latter event he hoped that his
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At eleven o'clock H.E. Major-General Gas- coigne, accompanied by the officers of his staff. arrived to inspect the contingent, which was drawn up in single rank on the promenade dock on the portside. After the inspection, an entirely satisfactory one in every way, His Excellency addressed a few words to each unit, his remarks, in the case of the Indians and Chinese, being interpreted by the officers in command of them.
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Major-General Gascoigne afterwards in- spected the respective quarters of the troops, and, when he bad taken leave of the officers going home with the contingent, left in the Government launch Victoria for Hongkong. By this time most of the visitors had spoken the last words of farewell and taken their departure, and presently the steamer's bell warned those who still lingered that it was time to go. Soon after mid-day the Empress swang clear from her buoy, and commenced the voyage, to which so many had been looking forward.
THE WEIHAIWEI REGIMENT.
To the Weihaiwei Regiment he said that they were the first English-drilled troops ever
Kipling's words, that "the British non-com- sent to London from Chins, and he hoped they realised the great honour that had been con- missioned officer can make soldiers out of ferred upon them in their selection to be present mud," bare no better exemplification than in the at the Coronation of their King. After refer-1st Chinese Begiment from Weihaiwei, for a ring to the valuable services the regiment had smarter, better-drilled lot of men it would be rendered in the recent troubles in the North, hard, impossible almost, to find anywhere in the Major-General Gascoigne commented upon the world. When the detachment that left by the exceedingly smart appearance of the detachment. Empress of Japan on Wednesday to be present and said that though in London they would at the Coronation arrived in the Colony, no meet some of the finest troops in the world, he more than a passing interest was manifested had no doubt they would acquit themselves in in the event, but once seen on parade it be would reflect credit came apparent that the men comprising the such not only on themselves and their instructors detachment were not the ordinary lot public bat on that part of the Empire of which they opinion deemed them to be ; but on the contrary. were the representatives. A hope that they that they were soldiers of whom the British would enjoy their visit to-England concluded Army might well be proud. Drilled as Guardsmen are at the “double,” their every the remarks.
His Excellency, in addressing the Indian movement is characterised by an incredibly detachment, said it was a very great honour to quick, clockwork-like regularity that came go home to see the Coronation, and he was glad as a complet› revelation to those who were indeed that that honour had fallen upon privileged to witness them at work, and to send home, so complete was this feeling of surprise, and them. He had been told
pleasure that H. E. Major-General Gascoigné, who inspected the contingent on the 10th inst, expressed a wish to have a public ex- hibition on the new Parade Ground last Tues- day afternoon. Unfortunately, however,
if he could, men who had served in North China, and he understood that every one of In London, there the detachment had done so. was no doubt, people would look upon and admire them, big, fine fellows as they were, and
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