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3. During the past season 1 member has died, 61 have resigned-33 in Colony and 28 for leaving the Colony: 17 have been struck off as absent without leave.
4. Thirty-five new members have been enrolled.
5. During the past year the corps has been reorganized as garrison artillery and engineers, with actual strengths as under :-Staff, 6; No. 1 Garrison Artillery Company, 117: No. 2 Garrison Artillery Company, 116; Engineer Company, 29; and Band, 6, respectively, as compared with establishments or 7, 155, 155, 60, and 23 respectively.
Equipment.
6. There has been no alteration in the equipment of the corps since last season.
The C.R.A. has kindly placed at the temporary disposal of the corps for drill purposes two 15-pr. B.L. guns. If sufficient accommodation could be provided, I should be glad of two more of these guns in order to train the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men in battery fire discipline, but, until the new headquarters are provided, this cannot be done.
*
*
Coronation Contingent.
25. On the 14th May, 1902, a contingent of 40 members of the corps under the command of Major A. Chapman, proceeded to England to represent the Colony at the coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII. They travelled across Canada, and, on arrival at home, were encamped at Alexandra Palace, together with other Colonial contingents.
The contingent was inspected by General Dorward and General Fukushima on board the steam-ship "Empress of India"; by General Parsons and Colonel Roy in Canada; by General O'Grady Haly on board the steam-ship "Tunisian"; and at Alexandra Palace by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught and Lord Roberts, Commander-in-chief; also by Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.
They formed a guard of honour to H.R.H. Princess Christian, also at Whitehall on the Coronation Day, and were inspected by and received coronation medals from His Majesty the King. They also formed part of a guard of honour on the arrival in London of General Lord Kitchener.
All ranks enjoyed the trip immensly, and the arrangements were well carried out for them by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. The contingent arrived back in the Colony on the 30th September, and were inspected by his Excellency the Governor. They had all much improved in drill and smartness, and great credit is due for this to Major Chapman and Company Sergeant-Major Barrett, R.G.A., who accompanied them.
Discipline, Training, &c.
26. The discipline of the corps has been exceedingly good throughout the season.
The usual squad, carbine, rifle, and company drills have been performed and well attended. Musketry practice has been carried out during the season (see Enclosure No. 9*). By the musketry regulations for 1903 artillery are not classified. The Engineer Company musketry return is attached.
Drill with 15-pr. B.L. guns at headquarters, and with the guns at Lyemun, Stonecutters' Island, Belchers, and Kowloon East have been carried out during the season; also 1-inch aiming practice from 6-inch and 10-inch B.L. guns at Lyemun and Stonecutters' Island. It is hoped that during the coming year heavy gun practice may be carried out from one of the forts in the district.
27. Under the head of drills the figures are as follows:- Those who have become efficient with more than 30 drills-
No. 1 Company.
45
Less than 30.
38
Non-efficient. 34
Total
117
***
No. 2 Company.
56
33
27
116
Engineers.
15
Band.
6
7
:
7
29
ali
6
Of the 68 non-efficients, 17 have been called upon to make good the loss to the Corps Fund, i.e., 25 dollars each; 4 have been excused owing to the nature of their employment, 2 will be struck off the strength as absent out of Colony without leave, 32 are absent with leave from the Colony, and 13 recruits have been unable to complete the necessary number of drills.
Camp of Instruction.
28. From the 10th to the 20th October, 1902, a camp of instruction was held under canvas at Stonecutters' Island.
* Engineer Company musketry return: not printed.-Sec. C.D.C.
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