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The Colonial Defence Committee suggest also that arrangements should be made to enable selected Volunteers to take part in the annual field firing of the garrison.
5. The subject of the re-armament of the corps is alluded to in paragraphs 53 and 54 of the Report.
The Colonial Defence Committee are referring to the subject of the artillery armament in their Remarks, No. 282 R, on the Defence Scheme, revised to June 1901.
"J
As regards small-arms, the Committee notice a statement in the Defence Scheme (p. 16) that "it is known. that in the event of war many of the British would enrol themselves in the corps." They do not trace that reserve arms have been provided to enable the increased establishment to be armed, and they commend the point to the consideration of the Government of the Colony.
6. For some years past the Commandant of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps has annually requested that the Chief Ordnance Officer should be asked to keep up a supply of 2.5-inch R.M.L. gun ammunition and 303-inch cordite small arm ammuni- tion, to be indented for as required on repayment.
In paragraph 8 of their Memorandum, No. 229 M, on the 1900 Report, the Colonial Defence Committee pointed out that this matter would shortly be brought within the competence of the General Officer Commanding by an addition to the Regulations for Army Ordnance Services. They now direct the attention of the General Officer Com- manding and of the Commandant to paragraph 1042 of the Regulations of 1900, which provides that issues of gun and small arm ammunition may be made to Colonial Volunteers on repayment without special sanction from home, and that local estimates for the ammunition required during the following year should be obtained from the Volunteers in good time for inclusion in the station annual demand.
December 20, 1901,
(Signed)
J. E. CLAUSON, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
Approved by totw. взводно.
in W.0.083/3864. 2571/02
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