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Corps Handbook.
29. During the summer months I completed a Corps Handbook containing infantry drills, 15-pr. B.L. and 303-in. Maxim gun drills, battery drill, fire discipline, remarks on gunnery, and employment of artillery, description and use of mekometer and semaphore signalling. Also extracts from Corps Regulations, &c.
A copy of this handbook has been given to each member of the Corps, and I hope it has been an assistance to them in becoming efficient Volunteers.
Camp of Instruction.
30. The Annual Camp was held under canvas at Stonecutters' Island from the 21st October to 31st October, 1904.
The attendance in proportion to total strength was better than in previous years.
Out of a total number of 20 officers and 231 n.c.o's. and men, 14 officers and 170 n.c.o's. and men attended the Camp.
Four officers and 21 n.c.o's, and men were on leave of absence on medical certificate. This total does not include the H.K. Volunteer Troop, who did not attend Camp.
31. 15-pr. B.L. and 303-in. Maxim drills were carried out by the artillery units, and battalion, company, carbine, and rifle drills by all units. The Engineer Company also carried out technical drills daily with the searchlights and oil engines.
32. Gun Practice. On the 26th October elementary practice with four 15-pr. B.L. guns, and ou the 29th October service practice from the same guns was carried out from Stonecutters' North Shore at dummy targets on the slopes of Chung Hue; the targets were very indistinct, and at ranges varying from 3,000 to 4,100; the sandy platform made ranging difficult, and considering the number of recruits on parade, the results were very good.
33. Colonel Kent, C.R.A., inspected the artillery units at the latter practice, and wrote a favourable report on it. His Excellency the Governor and his Excellency the General Officer Commanding were present.
34. On the 29th October practice was also carried out with the Maxim guns; this practice was good, but there were too many jams. This fault was especially remarked by his Excellency the General Officer Commanding, and trouble has been taken to improve in this matter, with the result that at General Slade's inspection on the 4th February, 1905, 3,000 rounds were fired from the same guns without a jam.
35. Lieutenant Benton, R.E., carried out an examination of the members of the Engineer Company and the O.C.S.M., R.E., has reported that the result was very satisfactory.
36. The health of the men in Camp was good. Surgeon-Lieutenant Laing was present every night in Camp; this is the first year that arrangements have been able to be made for a Medical Officer throughout the whole period.
37. Cump Inspections.--His Excellency the Governor inspected the Camp on the 26th October, saw the Corps on parade, and inspected the guard of honour; he expressed himself pleased with the Camp and the steadiness of the men on parade.
38. His Excellency the General Officer Commanding inspected the Camp and the Corps on
the 30th October, and stated that the Camp was clean and soldierly.
39. In my special report on the Annual Camp I strongly recommended that the period should be extended to 15 days in future, and His Excellency the Governor has approved of this. This should increase the efficiency of the Corps.
Inspections.
40. Major-General F. G. Slade, C.B., R.A., inspected the artillery units at gun practice on the 4th February, 1905.
41. The practice took place at Sywan, targets for 15-pr. practice being placed on the slopes of Mount Collinson and for Maxim practice on Mount Parker. Unfortunately, a dense fog came up before practice commenced, so that the greater part of the practice had to be carried out at a very short range.
42. A сору of General Slade's report is attached.*
* The following extract from a report on the Inspection by Major-General F. G. Slade, C.B., R.A., on the 4th February, 1905, having been forwarded by his Excellency the Governor, is now published for the informa- tion of all concerned :-
"The practice, considering the foggy state of the weather, was decidedly good, both for the field and machine guns.
"Faulty observation, neglect to bracket fuzes, and going to shrapnel with too short a fuze, led to irregular shooting in some cases. I ordered a change of objective for the 15-pr. which brought them into line with the Maxims, and at a very small interval from them, and fire was opened from both natures on two separate targets. Ranging on the new objective by the 15-pr. battery was well and rapidly carried out, in spite of the rattle of the Maxims, above which it was difficult to hear.
"This experience was, I believe, new to the Corps, and I think they appreciated the difficulties of maintaining fire discipline in action when in close proximity to machine guns.
"The general turn-out and appearance of all ranks on parade was good, and they seemed to take an intelligent interest in their duties.
"The Corps is much under establishment, and I trust that the 2 captains, 15 n.c.o's., and 93 gunners now wanting to complete may soon be forthcoming, as I feel sure that if this corps is kept up to its full strength and maintains its present efficiency, it will prove a valuable force in time of war in the defence of this Colony."
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