631576-1899-Report-Hongkong-Volunteer-Corps-Camp-of-Instruction-for-1899 — Page 5

SIR,

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH DECEMBER, 1899.

HONGKONG.-REPORT ON HONGKONG ENGINEER VOLUNTEER COMPANY.

From Lieut. Bagnall- Wilde, R. E., to O.C.S.M., Hongkong.

1887

HONGKONG, 30th October, 1899.

With reference to your memo, re the Hongkong Engineer Volunteers, I report as follows:

Classification.

Number

*}}}[1X*[

Attendances. Number of

Practices.

Number of

Attendances. Average per- centage of

Number

Qualified.

Remarks.

Engine Drivers,

10

144

19 75.8%

All

Electricians,

10

91

19

47.9%

Including one Officer.

One mau commenced on the 5th practice.

One man never attended at all.

One man commenced on the 9th practice.

All those in this table marked as qualified are capable of taking charge and working any portion of the defence lights under the supervision of one R.E. Non-Commissioned Officer who would be in charge of one section.

The course has consisted of practice in running the lights and in lectures on the principles of working.

The Engine Drivers are by far the best all round.

Lieutenant MITCHELL has been through a course of Engine Driving and has had practice in directing the lights from O.C.S.M.'s Station. He will also be put through a course of Electric Lighting.

The 2 Non-Commissioned Officers (Sergeant GRAHAM, Electrician, and Corporal WARWICK, Engine Driver) have done very well, and I have the highest opinion of them in every way.

At present no qualification reports have been issued. It is proposed to do this shortly.

After a man is qualified he will have to attend, if an Electrician, I practice every 2 months, if un Engine Driver, 1 practice every 6 months.

As a Company, I think that they will be invaluable to us on mobilization as we shall be able to depend on them for reliefs on the Electric Light work.

I have the honour to be,

Sir, Your obedient Servant,

W. BAGNALL-WILDE, Lient., R.E.

HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPs.

HEAD QUARTERS,

14th November, 1899.

Major M. M. MORRIS, R.A.,

Acting Commandant,

Hongkong Volunteer Corps.

SIR,

I have the honour to report on the work of the Field Battery during the recent Camp of In- struction at Stonecutters' Island.

2. The Camp opened at 5 p.in. on Friday, October 20th, and closed at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, October 30th.

3. I attach a statement of the various drills and parades during the Camp.

4. Gun practices took place on Wednesday, 25th, from Stonecutters' over a Sea range, and Saturday, 28th, over a Land range from a point near the old Customs Station at Lai-Chi-Kok.

5. Instruction in gun-laying was given daily, and evoked great interest and much competition. A very marked improvement has latterly taken place in laying, the excellent results of the course of instruction were to be observed at the practice on 28th when the laying could hardly have been better. Six additional men qualified as gun-layers during the Camp.