Sessional_Paper_1897 — Page 218

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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 an 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 season the "A" Company may be recruited up to its full strength, and that at least one more Company may be formed. It may be mentioned 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 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 on 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. WYLIE 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-

72 have done over 40 drills.

9 have become efficient with less than 40 drills. 26 non-efficients.

107

"A" 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 24 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 same 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.