(E3)
RETURN OF MILITIA.
Nil.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The Hongkong Volunteers, Artillery and Rifle Corps, originally incorporated by Sir HERCULES ROBINSON under Ordinance 2 of 1862 was disbanded by Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL in 1866, but revived and re-organised by Governor POPE HENNESSY in 1877. It was again disbanded in 1882, and re-organized in the same year by the Hon. W. H. MARSH, C.M.G., (now Sir WILLIAM MARSH, K.C.M.G.,) the Officer Administering the Government, under Ordinance 18 of 1882.
It now consists solely of an Artillery Corps; there are 87 Honorary Members and 50 Effective Members. The latter pass through a course of Garrison and Mountain Gua Drills, as well as Martini-Henry Carbine Drills. The Corps passes through a good many fluctuations owing to the changes that take place, as many residents come and go. During the past three months 12 recruits have joined to re-place those who have left the Colony; of these some have served as Volunteers in England.
The business hours being from 9 or 10 a.x. until 5 P.M., Drills can only be carried on before and after those hours. Then only sufficient men can be assembled for one or two gun detachments, except on Public Holidays as China New Year, when the Annual Artillery Practico takes place. However, sufficient instruction can be given to make the Corps a valuable Auxilliary in the event of War. The Officers of the Corps are as follows :—
COMMANDANT—
Major H. J. H. TRIPP.
CAPTAIN-
J. J. FRANCIS.
LIEUTENANTS—
J. MCCALLUM.
J. A. MOSELY.
A. WOOLLEY.
H. J. HOLMES.
Lt. H. T. HAWKINS, R.A., Adjutant.