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17. The Officers and Staff Sergeants carried out revolver practice, and Table VIII'shows the high average obtained.
CAMP OF INSTRUCTION,
18. The Annual Camp was held at Stonecutters' Island from October 14th to October 30th, 1905-a period of 16 days instead of 10 days as recommended in my report last year, and I attach a complete copy of my report on the Camp. (Appendix
COMPETITIONS.
19. The following inter-unit Competitions took place during the year :--
(1.) His Excellency the Governor's Efficiency Cup.-The marks were alloted as in
1905, except that 2 marks were given for each efficient.
This was again won by Right Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., mainly owing to the good marks obtained under the head musketry.
The following is the order of Efficiency -
1. Right Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., O.C., Captain ARMRTRONG..
2. Left Half No. 2
3. Left Half No. 1
4. Right Half No. 1
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5. II.K. Vol. Engineer Company, O.C., (2.) The Blake Musketry Shield, for teams of 8 from each Unit, took place on April 29th, 1905, and was won for the fourth time in succession by Left Half No. 1 Company, H.K.V.A.
(3.) The Sanders Cup, presented by Captain SANDERS, a former Officer of the H.K.V.A., was competed for by the Artillery Units at 15-pfr. B.L. tan Drill on January 13th, 1906, and was won by the Left Half No. 1 Company, H.K.V.A., (Acting O.C., Lieutenant GUBBAY).
(4.) The Gascoigne Shield for Maxim Gun Practice was fired for on February 24th, 1906, and was won after a close competition by Left Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., (O.C., Captain SKINNER) with 197 points-Right Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., (0. C.. Captain ARMSTRONG) being Zud 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 the one man dismounted and proceeded across country on foot whilst the other led his pony remainder of the distance, cach man then had 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 Moxox 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; 7 members presented themselves for examination and all passed.
22. A Semaphore Signalling Class was formed during the Summer months, and 7 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 November 9th, 1905.
24. On February 9th, the Corps had the honour of parading and lining the entrance to Government House on the occasion of the arrival of H.R.H. Prince ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT, K.G.
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26. All the Officers of the Corps and a number of the N.C.O.s and men became ment bers 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 March 19th to 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.
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In the Officers' team competition they lost by one point to the. Officers 119th Infantry, coming, however, well ahead of the other G 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, Gummer COLES was second to a Lee.-Corporal of the Royal West Kent Regiment.
In the Noel Cup, out of 16 entries, a Volunteer team was second to a team from H.M.S. Andromeda aud received special praise from H.E. the G.0.C. 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 (Lieutenant HAYTON and 2nd Lieutenant REYNOLDS) and 30 N.C.O.s and men, and the competition included a five 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 Head Quarters 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 made for April, 1906, but I now understand that it is not likely to be finished nutil September 30th, 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. DaBLING, C.R.E., on March 31st, 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 on 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.
SERVICES.
29. Major A. CHAPMAX commanded the Corps in the Summer months during my absence on leave and satisfactorily kept up the general keenness and efficiency.
Sergeant Major W. HIGBY has continued to carry out his duties well and has become very popular with all ranks. Stuff Armourer J. T. HAWKS was absent on leave at home during the Summer but returned before the Annual Camp. He carried out his duties satisfactorily, but unfortunately his health has failed and he has been invalided home,
April 30th, 1906.
I have, &c.,
C. G. PRITCHARD, Major, Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
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