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Skinner), with 197 points Right Half No. 2 Company. H. K. V. A. (O. C. Captain Armstrong) being second with 193 points.
(5.) The members of the Troop took part in an instructive competition consisting of despatch riding in pairs, each pair riding together a certain distance to a given point where one man dismounted and proceeded across country on foot whilst the other led his pony the remainder of the distance, each man had then to fire a fixed number of rounds at a target and also to fill in various roads and places on a blank map against time. The winning pair-Corporal Moxon and Trooper Gedge-completed the course in excellent time and carried out their duties very well.
20. Bombardier J. Marshall won the Corps Rifle Championship.
Miscellaneous.
21. An ambulance class was conducted by Lieutenant C. Forsyth; seven members presented themselves for examination and all passed.
22. A semaphore signalling class was formed during the summer months, and seven members of the corps passed a satisfactory examination, being able to send and receive messages at a fair pace.
23. The corps took part in the King's Birthday parade in conjunction with the remainder of the garrison on the 9th November, 1905.
24. On the 9th February, the corps had the honour of parading and lining the entrance to Government House on the occasion of the arrival of His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught, K.G.
25. All the officers of the corps and a number of the n.c.os. and men became members of the new China United Services Rifle Association which was formed early in 1906.
The first rifle meeting promoted by this Association was held from the 19th March to the 24th, and the members of the corps entered for all events and shot extremely well, they were somewhat unfortunate, however, in being second for every event.
In the officers' team competition they lost by one point to the officers 119th Infantry, coming, however, well ahead of the other six teams.
In the championship of the Colony, Sergeant Lapsley, H.K.V.E., was second to an officer of the 119th Infantry.
In the Nursery Competition Gunner Coles was second to a Lance-Corporal of the Royal West Kent Regiment.
In the Noel Cup, out of sixteen entries, a volunteer team was second to a team from His Majesty's ship" Andromeda," and received special praise from his Excellency the General Officer Commanding for their work.
And lastly, in the Hatton Cup, the volunteer team was only beaten by the two teams of the Royal West Kent Regiment, and came before the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers; the conditions for this cup were very hard for volunteers, who are mostly men from offices; the team consisted of two officers (Lieuteuant Hayton and Second Lieutenant Reynolds) and thirty n.c.os. and men, and the competition included a 5 miles' march in field service order followed by one hour's entrenching work and rifle practice at head and shoulder targets, half of the team also being marked for scouting and skirmishing work. Lieutenant Hayton deserves especial credit for the way in which he trained the team, and I consider the result was highly satisfactory for an artillery and engineer corps who have very little time for instruction in infantry duties.
26. The new headquarters were commenced in June 1905, the orderly-room, stores, &c., being temporarily housed in a matshed; the contract for the completion of the building was nade for April 1906, but I now understand that it is not likely to be finished until the 30th September, 1906.
27. In order to further improve the rifle shooting of all members of the corps, and especially to instruct recruits and indifferent shots, I have strongly recommended that a grant be made to purchase the new invention known as the Sub-Target Rifle; this can be obtained at a cost of 50%., and could be fitted up in the new Drill Hall. I understand that, with this instrument, recruits and others can be taught to shoot well without the cost of ammunition.
It will be a great attraction, and if ordered from home at once could be in use, when required, before next annual camp.
$
Inspection.
28. The annual inspection of the corps was carried out during the absence of his Excellency the General Officer Commanding by Colonel C. H. Darling, C.R.E., on the 31st March, 1906; he expressed himself well satisfied with the parade, and congratulated the corps on the excellent results obtained at the recent C.U.S.R.A. rifle meeting.
He also referred to the Maxim guns or parade, and mentioned that they required painting, but stated that as the corps had no gun-shed at present he hoped that this would be done as soon as the corps took over their new quarters.
*
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April 30, 1906.
*
I have, &c. (Signed)
C. G. PRITCHARD, Major, Commandant, Hong Kong Volunteer Corps.
A
BC
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