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APPENDIX I.
Despatch of Governor.
(No. 332.) Sir,
Government House, Hong Kong, July 6, 1903. WITH reference to Sir William Gascoigne's despatch No. 325 of the 23rd July, 1902, I have the honour to transmit to you the Annual Report on the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the year 1902.
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.
Headquarters Office, Hong Kong, May 7, 1903. I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Excellency's information, the Report of the Commandant of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps on the training performed and the general condition of the corps during the past year.
It will be seen that there has been a falling off in numbers, but this was to be expected owing to the change in the composition of the corps-a change which was naturally not acceptable to all former members.
But I am thoroughly satisfied that the change was a wise one, Garrison Artillery and Engineers being the two units in the Garrison which require strengthening, and in which the assistance of Volunteers, well trained, is of the highest value. It speaks well for the common sense and loyalty of the Corps generally that this change was so largely accepted, once it was made clear that it was in this respect that their services were most required.
With regard to Major Pritchard's remarks in paragraph 37, as to the present difficulties in training the men so far distant from their Headquarters, I would inform your Excellency that this had not escaped my observation, and that I am considering the feasibility of establishing a Drill Practice Battery at Scandal Point where both the Artillery and the Volunteers can receive practical instruction.
I have, &c. (Signed)
W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,
Commanding in China and Hong Kong.
127
Sir,
Sub-Enclosure.
Report of Commandant, Hong Kong Volunteer Corps.
Volunteer Headquarters, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 25, 1903.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the following documents* relating to the training, &c., of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1902-1903, for the information of his Excellency the Major-General Commanding and for favour of transmission to bis Excellency the Governor-
No. 1. Roll of Efficients, right half No. 1 Company.
left half No. 1 Company.
right half No. 2 Company.
No. 2.
步步
No. 3.
""
No. 4.
"
??
left half No. 2 Company.
No. 5.
99
No. 6.
39
No. 7. Inspection state.
Engineer Company. band.
No. 8. State of corps, 1903.
No. 9. Musketry Return, Engineer Company.
2. It will be seen from Enclosure No. 8 with the corresponding document for the training seasou 1901–1902 that the total strength of the corps is now 274 of all ranks as against 318 of all ranks on the former date. I attribute the falling off in numbers to the recent change in the corps from field, machine gun, and infantry companies to garrison artillery.
* Not printed.-Sec. C.D.C.
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