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Stonecutters' West Battery was manned at night by the Artillery units, and the Engineer Company manned the scarch-lights.
The usual company, carbine, and rifle drills were carried out, and the Artillery units devoted the greater part of the time to 15-pr. B.L. and Maxim gun drill, in which a keen interest was taken.
Practice was carried out with the Maxim guns on the range with good results, also class- firing by a number of men, but time did not permit of the whole Corps completing the course.
The Engineer Company, in addition to musketry and infantry drills, carried out daily drills with the engines and search-lights under the supervision of Royal Engineer Instructors.
Two accidents occurred during the period in camp, which were attended to by Lieutenant Swan, the Medical Officer, and in both cases valuable first-aid was given by the members of the ambulance class in camp. Next year it is proposed to arrange for one of the Medical Officers to remain in camp during the whole period.
25. The O.C.R.A. inspected the Artillery units on 31st October. Drill was carried out with the 15-pr. B.L. and Maxim guns, and the C.R.A. expressed himself pleased with the result.
26. The O.C.S.M., R.E., carried out an examination of the members of the Engineer Company on 31st October, and stated that their knowledge and progress was good.
27. The G.O.C. the Troops inspected the Corps on parade on Sunday, 1st November, and also made an inspection of the camp. He remarked on the steadiness of the men on parade, and stated that he considered the camp was better laid out and more soldierly than in previous years.
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Miscellaneous.
28. The Annual Inspection of the Corps by His Excellency the G.O.C. was held on 26th March, 1904.
The absentees from the inspection are as under:---
23 absent with leave out of the Colony.
16 absent with leave on special duties in the Colony.
10 absent on medical certificates.
11 absent without leave.
29. The competition for the musketry shield presented by Sir H. A. Blake, G.C.M.G., took place on 2nd May, 1903, at Tai Hang Rifle Range, and was again won by the Left Half, No. 1 Company, H.K.V.Á,
30. The competition for the shield presented by Sir W. J. Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., for Maxim gun practice took place on 23rd January, 1904, and was won by the Right Half, No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A.
31. The Corps took part in the King's Birthday parade, in conjunction with the remainder of the garrison, at the Happy Valley on 9th November, 1903.
32. An ambulance class was conducted by Captain F. O. Stedman, M.D.; nine members of the Corps presented themselves for examination, of whom eight qualified.
33. Confidential correspondence was carried on during the year with the Colonial Defence Committee on the subject of the organization of the Corps, and it was finally decided that the Artillery portion of the Corps should in future carry out movable armament and Maxim gun duties, and not drill with the fixed armament in the forts.
This decision was communicated to the members of the Corps on parade on 16th February, 1904. I hope that this decision may check the further decrease in the numbers.
34. In my Report last year I inentioned that it had been sanctioned that a shed should be put up at Kowloon to contain an engine and search-light installation for special instruction of the Volunteers.
On 3rd February, 1904, I received information that this building had been completed, but that the engine and light were required to complete the defences. I hope that these may soon be replaced. The Engineer Company has decreased in strength to twenty-one at the present time, and it would be advisable to endeavour to popularize this useful portion of the Corps by enabling them to do their technical drills without proceeding in every case to the forts.
35. The question of suitable Headquarters for the Corps still remains unsettled.
36. A Kitson light installation (two lamps) was approved and fitted up on the parade ground in December 1903.
This has proved a great convenience, and enabled the gun drill, laying, &c., with 15-pr. B.L. and Maxim guns to be carried out under better conditions than formerly.
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37. Major A. Chapman took over the duties of Acting Commandant during my absence on leave from 3rd June to 19th August, 1903, and has always afforded me valuable assistance in all matters concerning the welfare of the Corps.
The other officers of the Corps have also, in almost every case, rendered excellent service, and set a good example to the n.c.os. and men by their attendance at drills and their endeavours to promote the efficiency of the Corps.
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