REGULATIONS.
19. In my last report I held out the promise that the proposed new Regulations for the C would shortly be drafted and submitted for approval. duties has prevented me from fulfilling this promise. I am, however, sensible that the matter is But I regret to say that the pressure of of considerable importance, and I will endeavour to prepare the draft as soon as possible.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
20. The annual inspection of the Corps by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding place on the 14th instant. The parade state on that occasion is shown in enclosure No. 8.
21. A course of lectures on ambulance work, accompanied with stretcher drills, has again held by Surgeon-Lieutenant STEDMAN, at the examination, which was conducted by Surgeon-Captain CLARKE, A.M.S.
17 members joined the class, 13 of whom presented themse were successful and received certificates of proficiency.
Of the examinates
22. I have to request that the Chief Ordnance Officer, China, may again be asked to keep up usual quantities of Martini-Henry Carbine ball and blank ammunition and of 7-pounder and 64-poun R.M.L. gun ammunition for the use of the Corps, to be indented for as required on repayinent. further to beg that the Carbine ammunition may be of the latest dute of manufacture.
I b
23. The local Government was good enough to sanction the expenditure of a special sum $650 for the purchase of carbine ammuuition for the purpose of enabling members to proce ammunition for practice at a cheaper rate than that which formerly obtained, namely, at the price d $2.50 per 100 rounds instead of $1.00 per 100 rounds. The result of this liberal measure has bag seen in a considerable improvement in the shooting of the Corps, and a large number of recruits l made good progress with their musketry.
24. In my last report I drew attention to the service-woru condition of the Martini-Henry Carbines belonging to the Corps. During the season these weapons were examined by the Ordnanc Department, and, with four exceptions, they were all condemned as unfit for service. The question of re-arming the Corps with a more efficient weapon has been engaging the attention of the Imperial and Local Governments, and I trust the proposals which have been made to that end may soon be carried, into effect.
25. A Committee of Officers has been recently engaged in considering the question of the naitom of the several grades of the Corps with a view to its simplification and cheapening; their recommen}, ations will be embodied in the new draft Regulations.
26. Requisitions for the Capitation Grant for Efficients have been sent direct to the Honourabl the Colonial Treasurer.
27. It will, I think, be gathered from the preceding paragraphs of this report and from th enclosures to it that the progress of the Corps during the season has been steady and continuous. is true that its course is not free from difficulties, but I am satisfied that, with self-denying effort & the part of the members of the Corps and with good-will and interest on the part of the Government, the Legislature, and the general public, these difficulties will not prevent the Corps from attaining: high standard of efficiency-a standard which, I feel sure, is the aim of all who are connected with it.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. W. CARRINGTON, Major, Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
Enclosure 6.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER Corps.
"A" MACHINE GUN COMPANY.
337
Musketry Return, showing Percentage und Classificution for the Year ending 16th April, 1898.
'cruits' Course,
Trained Soldiers' Course,
Total,
obtained.
Number Number of Percent- Firing, Points
age. Marks- 18F
men. Class.
Classification.
Remarks.
2nd 3rd Class. Class.
20
540 48.21
12
5
3
#37
1,142 86.75
5
8
8
16
57
1,682
30
5
20
13
19
This includes a few Recruits who also fired Trained Soldiers Course.
Enclosure 7.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
J. W. CARRINGTON, Major, Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
Revolver Practice Return, showing Percentage for the Year ending 10th April, 1898.
Number Firing.
Number of Points Percentage. obtained.
Staff,
5
154
64.16
Field Battery,....................
7
244
72.52
"A" Machine Gun Company,...
3
112
77.77
Total,
Remarks.
15
510
70.83
J. W. CARRINGTON, Major, Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
Enclosure 8.
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS. Inspection State, 14th April, 1898.
Staff.
"A"
Field Battery.
State of Corps.
Officers.
N. C. Officers.
N. C. Officers. Officers
and Men.
Machine Gun Co.
N. C. Officers. Officers
and Men.
Total.
Remarks.
4
Present on Parade,..
with leave in Colony,
with leave out of Colony,
Absent
on medical certificate,....
without leave,..
Total,..........
4
1
5
*116
3
48
177
1
4
90
2
30
131
4
3
7
3
I
7
12
G
6
13
8
21
* This Total does not include--
8 unenrolled Boy Signallers.
1 unenrolled Boy Trumpeter.
J. W. CARRINGTON, Major,
Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.
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