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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 421 R.
HONG KONG.
C.O. Nos. 27747 and 44369/06.
Report on Volunteers for 1905-6.
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Colonial Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee a confidential despatch dated the 25th June, 1906, from the Governor of Hong Kong, transmitting the Report on the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the year ending the 31st March, 1906.
The despatch is printed, with extracts from its enclosure, as Appendix I to these Remarks.
2. The strength of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps on the 31st March, 1906, was 274, as compared with 269 on the corresponding date of 1905. It is expected that there will be a further increase of strength when the new volunteer headquarters are completed.
The Volunteer Reserve Association has now a strength of 230, an increase of 76 as compared with the number of the previous year.
The report shows that the Hong Kong Volunteers are in a thoroughly satisfactory state of efficiency. Great credit is due to the British civil population for their liberal personal support of the force.
3. A satisfactory feature of the report is the good attendance at camp and at drills. The extension of the period of the volunteer camp from ten to sixteen days should effect an increase of efficiency more than commensurate with the additional expenditure involved.
4. The Committee note with satisfaction that, on more than one occasion, the Volunteers have taken part in tactical exercises in conjunction with the regular troops. Close co-operation of the volunteer and regular forces is essential if the military resources of the Colony are to be applied in the most effectual manner for its defence. It is hoped, therefore, that it may be found possible in the future to continue and extend this valuable practice.
5. The sub-target apparatus, which it is proposed to purchase for the use of the Volunteers, has been favourably reported on, and recommended for adoption by the regular army. The apparatus is of considerable assistance in the training of recruits in the alignment of their sights and in pointing out errors of alignment to men who habitually fail in this respect. It is chiefly of value in imparting elementary instruc- tion. The high price (504.), is, however, an obstacle to its general use, and, as other similar and cheaper devices are now under consideration, the adoption of the sub- target apparatus by the regular army is, for the present, in abeyance. It is recom- mended that the purchase of the apparatus for the Hong Kong Volunteers should be
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