COPY.
Enclosure No.3.
Neven the kammidore, Hong Kong,
to the Governor Hans hang
Commodore's Office,
Hong Kong,
17th April, 1936.
No.H.K.628.
Your Excellency,
In accordance with the request of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, transmitted in your letter of the 13th March 1935, No.2981/26, I have the honour to forward for Your Excellency's information and communication to the Secretary of State the following report on the progress and efficiency of the Hongkong Naval Volunteer Force for the period 1st April 1935 to 31st March 1936.
Command
2. Owing to the absence on leave in England and the subsequent resignation of Lieutenant Commander H.S. Rouse, who had commanded the Force since its inception, the Force was for the greater part of the year under the command of Commander A.L. Shields, H.K.N.V.F., who had previously held honorary rank only. After a most successful tenure of
command, Commander Shields has been obliged to return to the United Kingdom on sick leave, and I have proposed, and Your Excellency has approved his succession by Lieutenant Commande:
J. Petrie, D.S.C., H.K.N.V.F.
Strength
3. The present strength of the Force is forty Officers and Cadets, and eighty-one ratings. It is hoped to recruit up to the full number of Officers and Cadets allowed (fifty)
during 1936.
Courses.
4. Two Officers attended Courses in England, but in one
case the Course had to be cut short owing to Service condi-
tions at the time.
His Excellency
Sir Andrew Caldecott, Kt., C.M.G., C.B.E.
Governor, etc., Hongkong. x 2