July 22, 1907.]
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The report on the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, for the year April 1st, 1906, to March 31st, 1907, appears in the Gazette. It states:
On March 31st. 1906. the total strength of the Corps was 274 The total strength of the Corps on March 31st, 1907, was 290, totals include the Chinese orderly, room clerk.) |
(Both Now that the New Headquarters have been completed I am confident that the total will increase during the next year, particularly, if the new infantry company, which has been dis- cussed, is started.
During the past year three members have died, 51 have resigned (one on medical certificate, 20 in the Colony, and 30 on leaving the Colony) and one has been struck off the strength. 71 new members have been enrolled.
The establishment of the Troop was raised in July to 43, namely, 1 officer, 1 Sergeant, 1 Cor. poral, and 4 Troopers.
The Hongkong Volunteer Reserve Associa tion had on 31st March, 1907, a membership of 248, an increase of 18 during the past twelve months. The members have carried out a large amount of rifle practice throughout the year at the King's Park Range, Kowloon, which is more accessible than the Volunteer Range at Tai Hang, and at the Peak Range, which has been recently opened.
APPOINTMENTS.
The changes amongst the Officers and Staff of the Corps have been as follows:-Major C. G. Pritchard, R.A., proceeded on leave to England on 21st December, 1906, Major A. Chapman commanded the Corps during Major Pritchard's absence. Captain F. O. Stedman (Surgeon) resigned bis commission on 3rd April, 1906. Staff Armourer G. W. Avenell joined the Corps on 4th May, 1906.
The monated Troop equipment has been augmented by the addition of Sam Browne sword belts and leather buckets for carrying the rifles; the method of attaching the buckets was well tested at the Troop Camp, and found satisfactory. The Maxim Guus have been thoroughly overhauled; they are now fitted with connecting rods, and new saddles, straps, etc., bave been made for them by the Corps Armourer. The whole Corps is now very well equipped in every respect.
DISCIPLINE, TRAINING, ETC.
The Discipline of the Corps has been very good. The following Table gires the number of efficients, ato, :—
Staff.
Efficiente with more s
than 30 drills.
Efficients with less?
than 30 drills.
*0XV[ k{ }
Medical Certificate.
Recently joined.
Absent without leure.
Non-efficienta
to pay fine.
Totul
13
10
t +
میں
Staff ........
G
Hongkong
Volunteer Troop 15 Right Hulf
No. 1 Co. 26
Left Half
No. 1 Co. 28 Right Half
No. 2 Co. 42 LeftH1f
No. 2 Co. 29 Hongkong
16
8 7
13
7
Volunteer
Engineer Co.
27 12
Total... 173
1
|
70 28 3 15
D.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
various engines, and searchligh's in the command. This Company has done excellent (Chinese New Year's Day) the Corps took part work throughout the year. On February 13th in a field day. The scheme consisted of the attack and defence of Customs Pass.
was
GUN PRACTICE, MUSKETRY, ETC. 15 pr. B.L. Practica was carried out on 1907, 303 Maxim Practice was carried out on 2nd and 7th October, 1906, and 2nd February, 17th, 19th and 27th October, 1996, and 2nd March 1907. The Annual Maske:ry Course carried out during Camp. Musketry Returns for the Volunteer Troop and Engineer Company are attached. Hitherto it has not heen customary to furnish Musketry Raturus done for the Artillery Companies, but this will be in future 88 recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee. Most of the ketry course. members of the Corps have fired their mns- and riffe practice bag been very popular, although, of course, it would be far more so if the Corps could have more opportunity of using the King's Park Range now that the Reserve Association has the new baill for them. The Tai Hang Range is difficult Range at the Peak which has been specially of access and out of the way. During the year the members of the Corps have fired 45820 rounds of small arm ammunition, and 1,150 rounds have been supplied to the Reserve Association. 110,0) rounds bave been ordered for this year from the Crown Ag. nts.
The Officers and Staff Sergeants carried out revolver practice, and Table VIII shows the results obtained.
Engineer Units was
The Annual Camp for the Artillery and held at Stonecutters' Islaud from 15th to 31st October, 1904. The Troop went into Camp uear Now Territories from 22nd to 27th December, Sheung Shio in the 1905. This is the first occasion that the Troop bas gone into Camp. I hope that an annual one will be held in future us by this means members acquire much useful knowledge of the New Territories,
COMPETITIONS.
The following intr-unit competitious took place during the year-His Excellency the Governor's Efficiency Cup.-This was again won by th Right Half No. 2 Company.
The following is the order of efficiency. 1. Right Half No. 2 Company, O.C., Captain
Armstrong, A, E, C.
2. Left Half No. 1 Company, O.C, Captain
Lammert.
3. Left Half No. 2 Company, O.C., Captain
Skinner.
4. Mou-ted Troop. O.C., Lieutenant Ross, 5. Engineer Company, O.C.. Captain Crake. 6. Right Half 26. 1 Company, O.C., Captain
Macdonald.
The Blake Musketry Shield, for teams of eight from each unit, took place on 28th April, 1906, and was won by Left Half No. 2 Company,
H.K.V.A.
The Sanders Cup, presented by Captain Sanders, & former officer of H.K.V.A., was com 39peted for the Artillery Units at 15 pr. B.L. Gun drill on January 12th, 1987, and was won 73 by the Right Half No. 2 Company (O.C.,
Captain Armstrong, A.U.C.).
1
13
The Gascoigne Shield for Maxim Gun Practice was fired for on March 2nd, 1907, and was won by Right Half No. Company (1).C., 50 Captain Armstrong, A..C). Left No. 1 Com
pany, (0.C., Captain Lammert), being second.
12
1 290
MISCELLANEOUS.
A semaphora signalling class was formed during the S mmer months.
The Corps took part in the King's Birthday With reference to the above Table it is satis-parade with the remainder of the Garrison factory to note that there was only one Non- on November 9ib, 1906. efficient, whom it was necessary to call upon to pay the Capitation Grant. It may also be mentioned that, without including the Staff, 9 members have attended over 100 drills and 59 between 50 and 100 drills; the record number being 181 drills credited to Gunner A. J. Pugh,
|
On February 6th, 1907, the Corps hd the honour of parading and livine the streets on the occasion of the arrival of H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught Inspector General of the Forces. The Troop furnished an escort,
8
41
been paid for out of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps Fuad with the addition of a sum of | 83,000 from the Government. All the rooms have been well furnished and the Officers' and Sergeants' Mes Rooms and the Billiard Room have been completely fitted up out of private fauds at no cost to the Government. The personilly feel very pleased that it should have building has already proved very popular and I been opened before the departure of Major Pritchard, who made a great point of the necessity of suitable headquirters ever since is arrival in the Colony. I am convinced that this will teud to make volunteerings more popular and trust that the numbers will in- crease the separate messes for Officers, Ser- geants and file should also improve the dis- cipline of the Corps.
A small Cadet Corpa was started in May, 1906, with boys from the Victoria British School, there are now 12 members. They ar instructed in quad drill and semipharo sigual- beling. They art-nded Camp and many of them have already proved themselves very effi ieat signallers. It is hoped that their numbers will soon increase.
The Artillery Units have drilled throughout the year wil the 15 pr B.L. guns and 33 Maxims and performed inf.ntry drills Troop has carried out frequent mounted drills. The Engineer company has had to suical instruction at Kowloon with the oil ng us and searchlight in addition to sofa d won king in con- junction with the Royal Engineers with the
The new Volauteer Headquarters were op ned on December 15th, 1906,* Tue building bas
|
A sub-target machine was requisitioned from England, subject to the apprival of the War Office, but the purchase of the apparatua has been postponed until the merits of similar, but ascertained. cheaper, devices now being tested have been
•
The great expeus › of building and furnishing supplied with Winter clothing, but I consider the Headquarters has prevented the men being that Khaki is not sufficient for them and I hope funds will now bo available to enable me to submit indents for warm clothing to be taken in to wear next Winter.
In couclusion I am glad to be able to report that the Officers aud Seuior N.O.'s of the Corps have all greatly assisted in bringing the Corps to its present state of efficiency..
I am also indebted
to Captain A. J. Thompson, R.G.A., (who has since been appointed Staff Officer to the Corps) for the assistance he has given me from the date of Major Pritchard's d'partura on leave,
INSPECTION.
The Annual Inspection of the Corps wal carried out on 23rd March, 1907, by His Excellency Major-General R. G. Broadwood, C.B., commanding troops South China, who ex- pressed satisfaction with the turn out of the men and their drill.
SERVICES,
Corps Sergeant Major W. Higby and Staff Armourer G. W. Arenell, have done their work excellently.
I have, &c., ARTHUR CHAPMAN, Major, Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps. May 3rd, 1907.
SIR MATTHEW NATHAN.
On July 16 there was laid before the Legislative Council the following despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to Sir Matthew Nathan's departure:—
Downing Street.
31st May, 1907. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 104 of April 23rd, reporting your assumption of the administration and enclosing extracts from the local Press with regard to Sir M. Nathan's departure.
2. These papers afford gratifying evidence of the esteem in which the ratiring Governor is held by all classes of the population of the Colony, and I have read them with much pleasure.
3. In the addresses ; resented to Sir M. Nathan on his departure reference has been made to the many important services which he rendered to the Colony during the period of bis administra tion. I cordially associate myself with all that was said on the occasion, and I fally sympathise with the regret, so generally expressed, that his connexion with Hongkong has not extended to the full term during which a Governor ordinari- ly holds office. But in the public interests His Majesty's Government found it necessary to invite Sir M. Nathau to give the benefit of his proved ability in another portion of the Empire, and I desire to record my appreciation of the ready way in which he met their wishes.
I hive do..
ELGIN. The Officer Administering the Government of
Hougkorg.
Although the Post Of 19 has motif d that mail matter may now bsan via the 8 barisa reliway, wa r-cimmiad reiders to stick t‹ the ses roques for swails at least. Wa haar tunt letters saat overland have not been rəssiPad.
3