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-organized by Governor Sir John Hennessy in 1877. It was again disbanded in 1882, and reorganized 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 50 Honorary Members and 61 (exclusive of officers) Effective Members. The latter pass through a course of Garrison and Mountain Gun 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 20 recruits have joined to replace those who have left the Colony; of these some have served as Volunteers in England.

I state.

The business hours being from 9 or 10 a.m. until 5 P.M., Drills can only be carried on before and after those hours. There only sufficient men can be assembled for one or two gun detachments, except on Public Holidays as Chinese New Year, when the Annual Artillery Practice takes place. However, sufficient instruction can be got in to make the Corps a valuable Auxiliary in the event of War. The Officers of the Corps are as follows:—

ACTING COMMANDANT

Capt. J. McCALLUM.

SURGEON

JAMES CANTLIE, M.B.

LIEUTENANTS

H. J. HOLMES.

H. E. DENSON.

Lt. A. H. LEE, R.A., Acting.