336
and 32 have resigned. Of the resiguing members 20 have left the Colony, and 3 have been discha on medical certificate. 55 new members have been eurolled.
During the season 4 members have died, 1 has been dismissed, 1 has been struck off the streIn the case of the 13 non-efficients of the "A" Machine Gun Company, I is absent from the
The Field Battery now numbers 120, as compared with an Establishment of 80 as fixed be
existing Regulations of the Corps.
The strength, and now numbers 51 of all ranks.
y on leave, 7 are absent from the Colony without leave, 2 are recruits who have not had sufficient Colony, have not completed the requisite number of drills. since joining to complete their drills, 1 is on medical certificate, and the remaining 2, although
A " Machine Gun Company has, I believe for the first time, been recruited up to its 9. In October, 1897, a Camp of Instruction was held under canvas during a period of nine days Stonecutters' Island. The use of the Naval Range, of the 64-pounder Gun Battery, and of the The establishment of the Corps makes provision for three Machine Gun Companies, and pression Range Finding Instruments on the Island was kindly lent by the Naval and Military requisite guns for them all are in stock. It was hoped that during the season another Caprices. The Camp was well attended and may be described as successful in every way. its might have been formed, but no steps have been taken in this direction for two reasons; first, beess I attribute in great measure the activity in recruiting which prevailed during the latter part
it was thought desirable to await the coming into force of the proposed new Regulations, and, seco the season
because the local Government has repeatedly and emphatically expressed its desire that no expendstruction is an important factor in the well-being of the Corps, from the point of view of its popul I desire to record my deliberate opinion that the holding of the Annual Camp of
ity as well as of its efficiency.
should take place in excess of the suin voted for the Volunteers.
3. Some months ago a small Drum and Fife Band, consisting of 22 enrolled members of the and 1 unenrolled boy signaller, was formed, principally through the exertions of Battery Serg Major DUNCAN and Sergeant-Drummer HAYWARD. The Band has attained a fair degree of proficit and its services are highly appreciated by the members of the Corps.
4. During the season the question of the formation of a small Engineer Company of the
has been under consideration, but a final decision has not yet been reached.
5. There have been several changes among the Officers of the Corps during the season. His Excellency Sir W. ROBINSON, G.C.M.G, Honorary Colonel of the Corps, left the Colony vacated his appointment on the 1st February, 1898.
the
10. A perusal of enclosures 3 and 4 will show that gun practice has taken place more frequently
consequence become more efficient in this important branch of their training past season than in previous years, and there is no doubt that the members of the two units
gaged, and the shooting has been for the most part, good.
In the various competitions a keen spirit of rivalry has been shown by the several detachments
!)
In the 64-pounder Gun Competition which was held at Stonecutters' Island on the 22nd January, 898 No. I detachment, commanded by Sergeant G, C. HAYWARD, again secured the first place. ALLIRVING, Mr. T. JACKSON, and the Commandant. In the case of,
Competitions have also taken place at Repulse Bay for prizes given by the Honourable J. J. Machine Gun Company competition was held by detachments on the 12th March, 1898, and resulted in the victory of 4 Detachment, commanded by Sergeant E. C. SHEPHERD. The Field Battery held their competi-
ere the winners.
le
In the Field Battery Captain J. MCCALLUM, who had been placed on the Supernumerary resigned his commission on the 18th January, 1898, on being posted to a Battery of Volunteer Arti in Scotland. for the Corps. Lieutenant A. CHAPMAN was promoted Captain to command the Field Battery Captain MCCALLUM was placed on the Supernumerary List.
This Officer, whose service dates as far back as May, 1878, has done much good by sections on the 16th instant, when No. 1 section, commanded by Lieutenant W. MACHELL,
A report of the 64-pounder Gun Competition was forwarded to His Excellency the General Officer numanding on the 31st January, 1898; a brief report on all the gun practices during the season was
to the great regret of all ranks of the Corps. The vacancy caused by his death was filled onwarded in a few days. 3rd February, 1898, by the appointment of Mr. M. W. SLADE to be Lieutenant.
On the 28th November, 1897, Lieutenant W. K. WYLIE died, under melancholy circumstawarded on the 15th instant; and that of the 7-pounder and Maxim Gun competitious will be
Lieutenant H. E, DENSON, who was, on the 21st March, 1896, seconded for a period of two y
11. A successful Carbine competition in connexion with the Corps was held on the 19th and was struck off the strength of the Corps from the 21st March, 1898, as being absent without leard 8th March, 1898, when a number of prizes were competed for. The members of the Corps are very
6. In the "A" Machine Gun Company Sergeant E. D. SANDERS was guzetted Captain on
ateful to the many kind donors of prizes. 22nd July, 1897, in succession to Captain C. M. ADAMSON, resigned, and Sergeant G. C. FULLES was gazetted Lieutenant on the 30th April, 1897, in succession to Lieutenant A. McP. MARSH
resigned.
DISCIPLINE, TRAINING, AND INSTRUCTION.
7. The discipline of the Corps has been uniformly good throughout the season.
8. The usual drills and musketry practices have been well attended. for the two units are severally as follows
Under this head the fig
Field Battery-
74 have become Efficient with more than 40 drills.
21 have become Efficient with less than 40 drills.
25 are Non-Efficients.
120
"A" Machine Gun Company-
26 have become Efficient with more than 40 drills.
12 have become Efficient with less than 40 drills. 13 are Nou-Efficients.
51
od good shooting has generally been n.ade.
12. Revolver practice by the Officers and Staff Sergeants has been continued during the season,
13. There have been no operations at a distance from Head Quarters for which it was necessary to employ coolie draught.
SERVICES.
14. Captain L. A. C. GORDON, Royal Artillery, the Adjutant of the Corps, continues to show great interest in the performance of his duties, and in particular the arrangements which he has mai and carried out for the several competitions have been satisfactory to all ranks.
During his temporary absence on leave in Japan in 1897, his duties were efficiently performed by Captain A. CHAPMAN.
15. The other officers of the Corps also continue to render excellent service. By their devotion to duty they set an admirable example to the non-commissioned officers and men under their com- mand, and they avail themselves of every opportunity to promote the efficiency of the Corps. The best relations exist between them and the subordinate ranks.
16. Corps Quarter-Master Sergeant G. W. WATLING has rendered very efficient service in connexion with the Camp of Instruction and the several competitions, and in the performance of his duties generally.
17. There have been several changes among the Instructors of the Corps, but I am glad to say that the new as well as the old Instructors have proved themselves painstaking and efficient and have discharged their duties to my entire satisfaction.
18. The non-commissioned officers and men of the Corps have, with fow exceptions, attended
Of the 25 non-efficients in the case of the Field Battery, 2 are absent from the Colony on leave drills regularly and shown a praiseworthy desire to make themselves smart and efficient. Their are absent from the Colony without leave, 4 are recruits who have not had sufficient time since joi conduct and good feeling in Camp and on all other occasions has been exceedingly good. I am to complete their drills, 4 are on medical certificate, and the remaining 8, although in the Colo especially glad to be able to say that talking in the ranks on parade is much less frequent than it used
have not completed the requisite number of drills.
to be, and I am in hopes that this unsoldierlike practice will soon disappear altogether.