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With regard to the 15-pr. B.L. practice, the C.R.A. stated that he considered the corps had made most distinct progress since last year.
He pointed certain faults in which improvements might be made in future, and these have been carefully noted with a view to their correction. He also considered that the artillery units should, if possible, carry out gun practice once a quarter, and if possible I propose to make arrangements for this as far as my supply of ammunition will allow me to do so.
His Excellency the Officer Commanding the Troops inspected the corps and the camp on the 28th October; he stated that there was a great improvement in the turn-out of the corps since his inspection in March, the equipment was better put on, and the men looked smart on parade; he expressed approval of the camp arrangements, and referred to the keenness shown by all ranks at the field day on the 20th October.
The Officer in charge E.L. and Telephones detailed an officer to carry out an examination of the members of the engineer company; all those who presented themselves passed satisfactorily.
Discipline. The discipline of all ranks was excellent.
Medical Officer's report.—I attach a report from the corps medical officer, Lieut. Forsyth, who, with the assistance of a corporal, R.A.M.C., carried out all the medical and sanitary arrangements very thoroughly.
Remarks.-The camp was laid out better than in previous years, and the tents were allotted two to each subdivision, which gave more definite responsibility to the n.c.os.; this proved satisfactory, and improved the general discipline.
The camp was again lit throughout with electric light by the engineer company. The members of this company did excellent technical work under the R.E. instructors.
A small matshed was fitted up with tubs as a bathroom for the men.
Ten cadets from the Victoria British School attended the camp and did some very useful work as semaphore signallers and at squad drill; the headmaster of the school reports that they returned to school improved in health and discipline in consequence.
The naval range was placed at the disposal of the corps daily from 6 to 8 a.m., and occasionally in the afternoon, and most of the members of the corps were able to carry out their class firing.
The officers and staff sergeants also carried out revolver practice with good results.
Extra instructors were kindly lent to the corps by the C.R.A. and O.C. Royal West Kent, and all
the instructors carried out their work well and tactfully.
The officers of the corps attended the camp well, and with the staff greatly assisted in making the camp a success.
201
I have, &c. (Signed)
C. G. PRITCHARD, Major,
Commandant, H.K.V. Corps.
Sir.
O.C. Volunteer Troop to D.A.A.G.
Volunteer Troop Camp in New Territories.
Hong Kong, December 31, 1906.
In accordance with your request, I now give you a short report on our camp, held near Sheung- Shui in the New Territories from the 22nd to the 27th instant.
I endeavoured, as far as possible, to follow the lines indicated in your note of the 17th December, but I regret that owing to the rainy weather and consequent heavy mist which overhung the hilltops for three out of the four days at my disposal, it was not feasible to pick up points which would make good signalling stations to link up the telephone stations or replace them.
The accompanying map* (which please return) shows marked in red the roads and paths either ridden or walked over by sections of the Troop. Generally speaking the country paths, owing to their narrowness and to the prevalence of cobble stones, are not well suited for large and shod China ponies such as we ride. We had many falls (none, however, serious) owing to ponies slipping on the cobble or off the narrow stone bridges and high bunds, and though possibly with more practice and without shoes our ponies would become accustomed to such work, there is no doubt that the small local "tat' of about 11 hands in height, and accustomed to go about unshod, is better suited for the country in question.
We visited the following telephone stations :--
"
Sheung-Shui, Taku-Ling (Kong-Tau-Ha), Shau-Ta-Kok, Tai-Po,
San-Tin, Au-Tau, Ping-Shan,
and followed the line of wires, most of which, however, were down or in bad order, presumably the result of the late typhoon.
The Samchun River was followed, partly on foot, partly on ponies, and partly by boat, from its source to its mouth. Several fordable points were discovered between Lofu ferry and Kong-Tau-Ha, though possibly at high water these might not be available. Above the last-named place the river is fordable at most places. Below Lofu ferry no fordable places were found, but the river could be crossed by ponies at several points with a short swim.
The Kong-Tau-Ha, Fanling, and Kamtin Valleys were visited and well explored. Castle Peak and Shap-Hat-Heung Valleys, being well known to most of our men, were merely crossed en route to the Au-Tau and Ping-Shan Police Stations.
*Not received.
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