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VOLUNTEERS.

TRAINING. 1895-96.

(From the Acting Commandant, Hongkong Volunteers, to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.)

VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS,

1. Schedules. Drills "A & B."

2. Copy of Regulations of Corps.*

HONGKONG, April 20th, 1896.

SIR, I have the honour to forward the documents, as per margin, 3. Nominal Roll Efficients Field connected with the training of the Hongkong Volunteers Corps for the season 95-96, for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding and favour of transmission with his remarks to His Excellency the Governor.

Battery.

4. Nominal Roll Efficients A

Maxim Gun Co.

5. Musketry Return Field Bat-

tery.

6. Musketry Return A Maxim

Gun Co.

7.

and Officers and Staff Ser- geants of Corps.

Battery.

2. In October last a Camp of Instruction was held for 10 days at Stone- cutter's Island, which was very well attended; outpost duties, guards, Revolver Practice Return of reconnoitring in addition to the ordinary drills were practised. It was also hoped that the Naval Range could have been lent for the period of duration 8. Report of Gun Practice Field of the camp. It being, however, under reconstruction no use could be made 9. Report of Gun Practice A of it. I hope, however, that the Corps will be able to take advantage of it next autumn when I propose to apply for a camp under canvas at the same 11. Requisitions for Capitation spot; provided that a large portion of the members of the Corps will under-

take to attend it.

Maxim Gun Co.

10. Copy of Inspection State.

Grant.

12. State of Corps 16th April,

1896.

3. I have not had occasion to employ coolie draught to any great extent during the season. The members preferred drawing the guns themselves as a rule. I propose, however, in future to employ coolie draught whenever the Corps is engaged in operations at a distance from Head Quarters.

4. The Officers have assisted me greatly by their regular attendance at drills, their efforts to recruit members and by the example they have set. I feel strongly that increased efficiency of the Corps and the greater interest taken on the drills competitions, etc. is due to their efforts.

5. Alterations have this year been made made by the Adjutant (Captain L. A. C. GORDON, R.A.) in the 64 P. competition of the Field Battery, it now being done by detachments and not by individual competition as heretofore. It proved a success; caused much better competition and better firing. Captain GORDON has also started an Annual Gun Layer's competition which produced a keen contest.

6. The Corps loses temporarily the services of Lieut. H. E. DENSON who has been recently seconded for two years. Lieut. DENSON, who is a very capable Officer, has served in the Corps since 20th December, 1882, during a considerable portion of his service he performed the duties of Quarter- Master very efficiently.

7. The Non-Commissioned Officers are most zealous and hard working; they have shewn a good example to the men by regular attendance and by the interest they take in their work.

8. With regard to the men I notice that there is an increase of 13 in the general total of the Corps, this taking into consideration the fact that there have been 24 resignations accepted during the past year 12 of whom have left the Colony shews that 37 new members have been enrolled, thus shewing that Volunteering in Hongkong it not on the wane. Although it will be seen that there are 5 less efficients in the Maxim Gun Co. this year, the general total of efficients in the Corps shews an increase over last year's total of 3. Twelve recruits have joined since April 1st. The Corps has never been up to the present strength before.

9. Khaki Drill and Putties have been substituted in the Field Battery for summer wear in lieu of white clothing. All work in the field has been carried out in khaki; the change in uniform has met with general approval.

10. Revolver practice has taken place this year for the first time (report attached). The Officers and Staff Sergeants of the Corps fired. In future I hope this practice will be carried out annually.

11. I would state that I consider the number of drills as laid down in the schedules A and B to be somewhat excessive for an efficient volunteer, and would strongly recommend for very favourable consideration that the schedule based as far as practicable on Appendix IV., page 270, Home Volunteer Regulations 1895, be substituted. I would point out that some of the members have been efficient for some years; at present they have no advantage over a member who has only been in the Corps one year, in respect of attendance at drills.

12. I would also suggest that sanction be given to enrol on the Volunteer Reserve of the Colony (referred to in paragraph 19 regulations of the Corps* a copy of which is attached for reference)

* Not printed here. Sec Government Gazette of the 6th May, 1893, page 332, vol. XXXIX.

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