3.
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8.
was instituted selected gentlemen had to be given
the rank of Officer without passing through the rank
of Cadet.
The ratings (who are mainly yacht "boys" from
the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club) have only served for a few months
Their instruction so far has been in simple marching manoeuvres,
boat-pulling, minesweeping and English. Each watch carries out
a minesweeping practice in a Dockyard launch once a fortnight,
in combination with the Chinese crew of H.M.S. "TAMAR".
Results Obtained.
9.
All the Officers are now efficient in the use of
the Mark V minesweep. The standard reached by the Cadets varies
according to the period they have served; the senior Cadets are
little behind the Officers. A very useful test was afforded by
the recent combined exercises, when all Officers and Cadets of
the Force were embarked in launches employed on the inner patrols.
The Naval and Police Officers in command of these launches report
unanimously that great efficiency and keenness were shown by the
Force in spite of very adverse weather conditions. I consider
these reports, coming from keen critics, to be highly satisfac-
tory.
10.
The ratings have hardly been under training long
enough to justify any more definite statement than that they are
keen and interested, and that, although the language difficulty
is a handicap, it is expected that, with time, they will become
perfectly efficient in their duties.
11.
Generally, I consider the interest and zeal of
the Officers, Cadets and ratings to be most praiseworthy.
Proposals for future training.
12.
It is proposed now to concentrate as much as
possible on practicable work at sea, and this will be greatly
37