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(No. 273.) Sir,
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APPENDIX.
Despatch of Governor.
Government House, Hong Kong, July 25, 1901.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the annual Report on the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the year 1900–1901.
I have, &c. (Signed)
HENRY A. BLAKE, Governor, &c.
The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
Enclosure.
Sir,
Letter of General Officer Commanding.
Head-quarters, Hong Kong, May 2, 1901. I HAVE the honour to forward the Commandant's Report on the training of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the past year.
I am glad to see that the numerical strength of the Corps has attained the highly creditable total of 366 of all ranks; a strength that I hope may be maintained, but, I think, need not
be increased.
"E" the Engineer Company, has done specially useful work in assisting the Royal Engineers in working the electric light installations. Major Mould, R.E., speaks very highly of the attainments of some of the men, but of others he says they have put in a very few attendances and require more training. As very highly trained men are required for these duties, I hope that the company will make a point of maintaining a superior standard of efficiency in this branch of technical military training.
In paragraph 33 the Commandant states that no rifle range was at the disposal of the corps. No application for a range was made, and I may say that, if made, a range would have been allotted to him, for I hold that volunteers should be proficient in rifle shooting.
Paragraph 35.--A revolver range is situated near the racquet court, and could very easily have been made available if an application had been made for it.
Paragraph 44.--I hope that next autumn, Stonecutters' may be at the service of the corps for its annual camp of instruction.
At the parade for my annual inspection, I am glad to say that the numbers attending were good, an increase over that of last year, although I had again to call attention to the fact that there were too many "absent without leave." I understand that the majority of these absentees had left the Colony, either permanently or for a few months. In either case leave should have been applied for.
The parade itself was good. The men were steady in the ranks; the arms clean; the clothing of uniform pattern; and the movements executed showed a marked improvement over the two previous occasions when I have inspected this corps. I am satisfied that the corps has taken itself seriously and is anxious to show that it is a reliable factor in the defence of the Colony.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,
Commanding in China and Hong Kong.
Sir,
Sub-Inclosure.
Report of Commandant.
Volunteer Head-quarters, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 24, 1901.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the documents mentioned in the margin* relating to the training, &c., of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1900-1901 for the information
* Nominal rolls of efficients, reports on gun practice, copy of inspection state, and state of corps, March 31, 1901.--(Not printed.-SEC., C.D.C.).
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