COPY.
Enclosure 2
JI BOL A001 200
Confidential.
Ja depe etic KITSIN OR SLUKIIRVE POT
C & Pnctional ano ne kasıki vid to catea data acidesidue
mus ter H. Juo -NOTATIA
13 Tel 19ende dow...
VIU MALAN no egres 1E DINGE
Sir,
Head Quarters.
C.O.
1524
Da 16 JAN 05
Hongkong, 11th August, 1904,
464
INTERVOR #11 JDM mld duc que 1 RUNEST
In reply to Your Excellency's letter of the 9th instant, No. 8889/1904/G, I would point out first of all the distribution for defence of the Volunteers as they are at present organised.
The Engineer detachment joins the Royal Engineers. 20 men and 3 guns (15 pounders) are told off to the 2nd Section of Defence (Mount Nicholson where the emplacements are ready for the guns). 20 men and 3 guns (15 pounders) are told off for the 3rd Section (Boa Vista) where the emplacements are ready for the guns. The remainder are in reserve with guns and machine guns at Victoria.
To His Excellency
2.
I can see no reason why, if it is preferred, an internal re-organization should not be made to allow these detachments to be found by firms, if it is advantageous to the individual members and be responsible for their own machine or field guns.
A certain amount of drill, not very much, is required, but efficient shooting with a knowledge of the ground are the most desirable qualifications. I must add that at any time some of the reserve might be required on the mainland. It is advisable therefore that the numbers should be kept up so that detachments might be relieved. This should not be lost sight of in recasting small units.
Whatever is done, I think all that the Military Authorities should be called upon to do is to tell off so many Volunteers.
The Governor, &c., &c.
Hongkong.