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59. I forward this Report on the 29th March, as I am proceeding to England on leave of absence. The duties of Commandant will be taken over by Major A. Chapman, H.K.V.C., who is a thoroughly capable Volunteer Officer and who has the interests of the Corps very much at heart.
To the D.A.A.G. and C.S.O.,
South China.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
C. G. PRITCHARD, Major,
Commandant, H. K. V. Corps.
Hon. Colonial Secretary,
Enclosure 2.
Minute of Acting Commandant.
IN accordance with his Excellency's suggestion, a meeting of the officers was held on the 14th instant, the following being present :-
Captain Armstrong, A.D.C.
"
Macdonald, 1st C.P.R.G.A.(V.).
Lieutenant Crake.
"J
Scott. Gresson.
"
Captain Skinner. Lieutenant Oliver.
Northcote. Plumer.
99
2. I have since seen Captain D. Macdonald, and Lieutenants Lammert and Laing, who were unable to attend the meeting.
3. After considering the Colonial Defence Committee's Remarks the officers were unanimously of opinion that the suggested changes would be unpopular with the members of the Corps.
4. The officers hope that, as regards the office of Commandant, no alteration will be thought of until Major Pritchard's term has expired; they think, however, the Corps could be successfully administered by a suitable and popular civilian Commandant, with the assistance of an adjutant, who should be seconded from his Regiment, and be liberally paid.
5. The officers are of opinion that the suggestion to train the Volunteers in time of peace, under the same conditions and with the same units with whom they would work in time of war, is sound, but they question whether the drastic changes suggested would tend to popularize the Volunteer movement in this Colony.
6. They think more frequent opportunities of taking part in field exercises and mobilization, such as the recent night manning, might be afforded the Corps, as thereby each unit would be associated with the same regular forces as in time of war.
7. The officers doubt if the changes would be the means of bringing the Volunteers into more close association with the regular forces than the present system, as the garrison usually drills and exercises in the early part of the day, whereas the Volunteers can only do this after business hours, i.e., not before 5·30 P.M.
8. The different units of the Corps would, in future, be entirely separated; there would be three adjutants, whose interests might possibly clash, whereas the present system has been found to work most harmoniously.
9. The artillery companies are now trained to work equally well with the 15-prs. and Maxim guns; the change would necessitate the permanent splitting-up of these units, as each man would have to elect, once for all, whether he wished to be attached to the British Infantry Battalion or the Artillery.
10. Under existing conditions the artillery companies are annually inspected by the Com- manding Officer of the Royal Artillery, and the Engineer Company by the Commanding Royal Engineer, either personally or by officers detailed for the purpose.
11. The local conditions of life and the class of men in the ranks are totally different from what obtains at home, where men can join a camp of instruction and remain under canvas for a whole month, whereas here it is necessary to arrange drills during Camp in the early morning and late afternoon, to enable the Volunteers to attend without interfering with their business.
12. The officers are of opinion that the present method of administration is satisfactory; any change on the lines suggested would only lead to confusion, and be impracticable.
(Signed) A. CHAPMAN, Major,
Acting Commandant, H. K. V. C.
April 18, 1905.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. HARRISON.- - 19/6/06.
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