612
11. On the 18th March last a competition, in which the two units of the Corps were independ
and the Commandant, and, in the case of the "A" Machine Gun Company, by the Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD. The firing point was on an cininence near Wong-nei-Chong Gap, and the target, in the case of the Field Battery, was on the shore of Deep Water Bay, at a distance of about 1,700 yards and, in the case of the "A" Machine Gun Company, in a ravine in the same direction, at a distance of about 1,100 yards.
and sixteen have resigned. Of the resigning members eight have left the Colony. Fifty-two new members have been enrolled. The number of the Field Battery is now 107, as compared with anently engaged, took place for prizes, offered, in the case of the Field Battery, by Captain J. J. FRANCIS establishment of 80 as fixed by the Regulations of the Corps. On the other hand, the number of the "A" Machine Gun Company is only 47, as compared with an establishment of 51 as fixed by the Regulations. It is hoped that during the ensuing senson the "A" Company may be recruited up to its full strength, and that at least one more Company may be formed. It may be mention that the Corps possesses altogether 12 Maxim guns, sufficient for three Companies. It is, I believe, the opinion of competent Officers that machine gun fire will be found of considerable value in repelling a hostile attack on the Colony.
3. There have been various changes among the Officers of the Corps during the past season. In October, 1896, Major A. R. PEMBERTON, of the Rifle Brigade, who had been Acting Commandant i from the 1st February, 1895, resigned the command on the departure of his regiment from the Colony The present Commandant was gazetted on the 14th November, 1896. This seems a fitting opportunity for me to express, on behalf of the members of the Corps, their high sense of Major PEMBERTON's very efficient and useful services during the period of his command.
4. Surgeon-Captain J. CANTLIE, M.B., has retired, and Supernumerary Surgeon-Lieutenant F. O. STEDMAN, M.D., has been brought on the establishment.
5. In the Field Battery, Captain J. MCCALLUM, who is absent ou leave, and who, it is believed, is not likely to return to the Colony, was placed on the supernumerary list, and Lieutenant A. CHAPMAN was promoted Captain to command the Battery in his place. Sergeant W. K. WYLI was elected and gazetted to fill the vacancy among the Lieutenants thus created.
6. In the "A" Machine Gun Company Captain C. M. ADAMSON and Lieutenants E. OSBORNE and A. McP. MARSHALL resigned their commissions, the former on account of absence from the Colony and the latter two because of the pressure of other duties. Colour-Sergeant F. MAITLAND was elected and gazetted Lieutenant in place of Mr. OSBORNE. The other vacancies will shortly be filled.
DISCIPLINE, TRAINING, AND INSTRUCTION.
7. The discipline of the Corps has, with a solitary exception, which was dealt with, been good throughout the season.
8. The ordinary training and instruction of the Corps does not call for special remark. The usual drills and musketry practices have on the whole been well attended. Under this head the figures for the units severally are as follows:--
Field Battery-
"A
72 have done over 40 drills.
9 have become efficient with less than 40 drills.
26 non-efficients.
107
Machine Gun Company-
16 have done over 36 drills.
7 have become efficient with less than 36 drills.
24 non-efficients.
47
Of the 26 non-efficients in the case of the Field Battery, 2 are on the supernumerary list of Officers and are absent from the Colony, 4 are absent on leave, 6 are absent from the Colony without leave, 7 are recruits who have not had sufficient time to complete their drills, 1 has recently returned from leave, 1 is in hospital, and the remaining 5, although in the Colony, have not completed the requisite number of drills.
In the case of the 21 non-efficients of the "A" Machine Gun Company, 6 are absent from the Colony on leave, 7 are absent from the Colony without leave, 5 are recruits who have not had sufficient time to complete their drills, and the remaining 6, although in the Colony, have not completed the requisite number of drills
9. In October, 1896, a Camp of Instruction was held under canvas during a period of nine days on Stonecutter's Island. The use of the Naval Range on the Island was at the sanic time lent by the Commodore in charge at Hongkong, and was largely used by recruits. The Camp was well attended, and the instruction afforded, consisting, besides the ordinary drills, of outpost duties, guards, recon noitring, and field firing, was much appreciated by all ranks. To the success of the Camp I attribute in great part the activity in recruiting which has existed during the latter part of the season. proposed to hold the Camp annually.
It is
10. On the 2nd February last a competition took place with 64-pounder guns at Stonecutters Island. Six detachments engaged in the competition, using plugged shell. The range was 2,175 yards, and the target was moored between the battery and Green Island. Excellent practice was made by the detachments generally, the best results being secured by No. 1 detachment, commanded by Sergeant G. C. HAYWARD. A report on this competition was forwarded to His Excellency the Major-General Commanding on the 24th February last.
The Field Battery fired by sections, using common and shrapnel shell, and the "A" Machine Gun Company by single guns. Some good practice was made by both units. A report on this com- petition was forwarded to His Excellency the Major-General Commanding on the 15th March last. last season, has been continued during the present season with satisfactory results.
12. The revolver practice by the Officers and Staff Sergeants, which was instituted during the
annual report. In the case of an ordinary march out, which has taken place several times during the 13. The question of coolie draught for the guns is in the same position as at the time of the last
allowing this work to be done by coolies. During the season there have been no operations at a season, the members prefer to draw the guns themselves; in fact they display a strong repugnance to
distance from head quarters for which coolic draught could be employed. It must be borne in mind with regard to this question that the finances of the Corps will not admit of coolies being regularly employed and trained for purposes of draught, and further that a sufficient number of coolies used to the drawing of loads can always be obtained when occasion requires. I am, however, informed that coolie draught for the guns has always proved slow and generally unsatisfactory.
SERVICES.
14. I have pleasure in bringing to the notice of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding the zealous and efficient services rendered during the season by Captain L. A. C. GORDON, Royal Artillery, the Adjutant of the Corps. Captain GORDON not only shows great interest in his duties but performs them in such a manner as to secure the liking of all ranks. In particular, the Corps is much indebted to him for the skill and pains with which he organized and superintended the carrying out of the several gun competitions held during the season.
15. The other Officers of the Corps have in every way set an excellent example to the non- commissioned officers and men serving under them. By their regular attendance at drills, their endeavours to procure recruits, and their devotion to duty generally they show their anxiety to promote the efficiency of the Corps. In short, I may say of them that a Commandant could not wish for better officers.
16. Corps Quarter-Master Sergeant WATLING and the Sergeant Instructors have been diligent and painstaking in the performance of their duties.
17. The non-commissioned officers and men of the Corps have for the most part attended drills regularly and shown a soldier-like desire to make themselves efficient.
REGELATIONS.
18. Soon after I was appointed Commandant I formed the opinion that the Regulations of the Corps stood in need of revision in several respects. On consideration, however, it appeared to be advisable that I should gain some experience of the working of the Corps before undertaking the re-drafting of them. Now that the training season has concluded, I propose to lose no time in framing and submitting for approval a draft set of Regulations. Amongst other matters which will be dealt with in the draft will be the strength of the two units of the Corps, the number of drills qualifying for "efficiency," and the formation and constitution of a Volunteer Reserve.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
19. The annual inspection of the Corps by His Excellency the Major-General Commanding took place on the 8th instant.
20. A course of lectures on ambulance work, accompanied with stretcher drills, has recently been held by Surgeon-Lieutenant STEDMAN. Thirteen members joined the class.
21. I have to request that the Chief Ordnance Officer, China, may be asked to keep up 30.000 rounds of Martini-Henry Carbine ball ammunition and the usual quantities of 7-pounder and 64-pounder R.M.L. gun ammunition for the use of the Corps, to be indented for as required on repayment. I have recently addressed a letter to His Excellency the Governor urging the desirability of provision being made for supplying ammunition for practice to the members of the Corps at a cheaper rate than that which now obtains, viz., $4 per 100 rounds.
22. A considerable proportion of the Martini-Henry Carbines belonging to the Corps are service- worn, and the question of replacing them with new and more efficient weapons will soon have to be considered.
23. Requisitions for Capitation Grant for Efficients during the past season have been sent direct to the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer.
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