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Inclosure 2°3 in despatele The 264 96th deer 1882 from the Officer Administering the Govt of song long.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, NOVEMBER 17TH, 1882.
THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT IN
HONGKONG.
PUBLIC MEETING.
The movement for starting a new Volunteer Corps in this colony is being pushed vigorously forward, and the thing seems promisingly full of life and vigour. From reasons which were well explained by Mr. Francis, and which will be found reported below, the old Corps became prac- tically defunct, and it was decided to put au and to its existence and start an entirely new ore. Names have been coming in very well for recruits, and yesterday afternoon a public meeting was held at the City Hall of those interested in this revival of the military spirit in the colony. From 100 to 150 persons, obiety young men, were present at the meeting, throughout which mnoh unanimity of feeling and interest was shown.
The Hon. F. STEWART, L.L.D., Asting Colo- nial Secretary, addressed a few words to those assembled, observing that he did not intend taking any active part in the meeting, but the volunteers would do everything themselves. He suggested that the first thing to be doue was to elect a chairman, and expressed his readiness to answer any questions on the part of the Govern- ment which might be pat to him.
Mr. J. J. FRANCIS proposed that Mr. Tripp abould take the chair, and the proposal was at
| once agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN said he believed the prelimin. ary thing to open the meeting would be to ask Dr. Stewart to read to the meating the propositions of His Excellency the Administrator as regarded the forming of a new corps of volunteers. He believed it would be found that everything had been there proposed which could be required, and he did not think they could wish for a single thing more than the Government had granted them. It only remained for them all to come forward and do the best they could with what had been given them. (Applause).
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY then hauded to the Chairman a document which the latter gentleman read as follows:-
"1. The Government will pay the expenses of winter and summer uniform, and ammunition. "-I approve of the corps being Volunteer Artillery. The question of a separate rifle corps may stand over for consideration later.
"3.-The General commanding the troops bas kindly placed at my disposal the services of Major Moor-Lane as Commandant. I propose that he should be paid $100 a mouth. The amount noted in the estimates, $2.400, will, together with the balance in hand, cover the ex- pense of pay of commandant, drill sergeant, aniform, ammunition, &c., estimated as follows:-- "Winter clothing to last two years, $310; two suits summer clothing, $320: great ammunition, 100 rounds, $400; Martini Henry carbine do... 7,200 rounda, 8130; commandant, $100 a month, $1,200; drill instructors at $50 $600.
"4.-The General offers to lend some arms and accoutrements in the meantime. I will apply to the Secretary of State to supply a stand of 150 to be the property of the Civil Government.
"5.-I will also apply to the Secretary of State for a mountain battery to be the property of the Civil Government.
"6.-The General has given his consent to the use of the guns in the Murray Battery, and one of the Harbour Forts for drill purposes, on daya to be named by the officer commanding the Royal Artillery.
"7.—I cannot make any promise about the old drill shed till the return of Mr. Price. I am of opinion, however, that it should be restored to its former use, but in this case I must build another store for the Surveyor-General, esti. mated cost about $3,000, for which I must ob- tain the Secretary of State's authority,
"-I quite agree that thers should be a sur- geon to the corps and that no man be enrolled in the corps until he has been passed as phvsi. cally fit. Also that a code of rules and regula tions should be compiled. If the volun- teers are disposed to come forward on these conditions. I think the best plan will be
! for me to disband the
practically defunct, and has been so for some corps, which is time past, and to invite gentleman to come for. ward and euroi themselves in a new cots, for it will be essentially a new corps. I have Äiscussed this point with Major Moore-Lane, who consi- ders the disbandment of the old corps las es840- tial as a preliminary, but before deciding on this step, I propose to consult with the Exentive Conncil.
(84) WILMS "19/10.82.
From Major Moore-Lane, R.A., to H. E. Major-General Sargent C.B.
"Hongkong, 16th October, 1882. "Sir.-In accordance with instructions receiv- ed from Your Excellency, I have the honour to bring to your notice s few suggestions relative to the contemplated formation of an artillery corps of volunteers in this colony. Withent entering into any details, which must necessarily be inaded in fature correspondence. I beg to submit the following for your consideration.
"1. That it would be advisable to form the corps into two batteries; strength of officers-one Major Commandant, one Major second in com- mand; each battery one Captain and two biog- tenante; one Hon. Surgeon, and one Quarter- minster. I should recommend this establishment in preference to one battery as the most suitable as regards expansion and drill purposes, although at first the number of volunteers enrolled may be small.
"2-Tt the appointment of the Major se- cond in command be made by H.E. the Governor on the recommendation of the Commandant,
"3.-That a small stand of arms and accoutrements be lent to the corps for instruc- tion in drill until a proper equipment is obtained from England.
"4.-That the question of field and mountain guns be postponed for the present, if the gune already mounted in the Harbour Forts and Murray Battery can be placed at the disposal of the volunteers for drill purposes.
5.--That the question of clothing and how it is to be obtained be dealt with hereafter.
"As the cool weather is about to commence, immediate steps should be taken to revive the movement by a public meeting when the feeling of the public can be ascertained, and popular gentlemen of sufficient status be asked to come forward and assist in stirring up the military spirit of the colony.
"The officers who at present bold commissions could, if they wish to retire, be given honorary commissions of the same rank in which they , now serve, with the privilege of wearing the
uniform of the corps.
1
"I have the honour to be your obedient servant,
“(Signed) M. MOORE-LANE.
"Major R.A." The CHAIRMAN said he thought all the proposi- ! tions of the Government and Major Moore-Lane could be carried into effect; they seemed to be very good ones. He should be glad to bear any remarks any one present might have to make.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY said he was au- thorised to say that the Drill Shed would be ready for the use of the Corps when required. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN said he thought that was a very important point. All volunteers wanted a place to meet in which they could consider as! their own, and a drill ground that was always at their disposal for drilling. He believed this was a great point, and that one of the drawbacks of the late corps was that they had no place to go to. Now, he thought, they had everything they wanted for the forming of a corps. He invited any gentleman present to make any ro marks upon the matter which they might think
fit.
Mr. FRANCIS said be thought that as the Commandant of the late corps, it was as well that he should make a short statement with re- gard to that oorpa. They were all aware un. der what circumstances the corps was formed in 1878, and with what alacrity the inhabitants gathered together to meet the emergenev, and
·how 160 or 170 men attended all parades, and took any arms, accoutrements, and uniforms ready at the moment. When the emergency passed over the attendance of course fell away; but still some 80 or 90 held together and attended drill with fair regularity. Then an attempt was made by Capt. Coron, at that time the Com. mandant, to put the oorps on a better footing, and he made propositions and submitted them to the Government. These propositions were ap- proved at a public mosting in the Council Cham- bar by His Excellency the Governor, and it was promised the corps that all the suggestions then
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