Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 256

REGULATIONS.

19. In my last report I held out the promise that the proposed new Regulations for the Corps would shortly be drafted and submitted for approval. But I regret to say that the pressure of other duties has prevented me from fulfilling this promise. I am, however, sensible that the matter is one 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 took 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 been held by Surgeon-Lieutenant STEDMAN. 17 members joined the class, 13 of whom presented themselves at the examination, which was conducted by Surgeon-Captain CLARKE, A.M.S. Of the examinates 11 were successful and received certificates of proficiency.

22. I have to request that the Chief Ordnance Officer, China, may again be asked to keep up the usual quantities of Martini-Henry Carbine ball and blank ammunition and 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 further to beg that the Carbine ammunition may be of the latest date of inanufacture.

23. The local Government was good enough to sanction the expenditure of a special sum of $650 for the purchase of carbine ammunition for the purpose of enabling members to procure ammunition for practice at a cheaper rate than that which formerly obtained, namely, at the price of $2.50 per 100 rounds instead of $4.00 per 100 rounds. The result of this liberal measure has been seen in a considerable improvement in the shooting of the Corps, and a large number of recruits have made good progress with their musketry.

24. In my last report I drew attention to the service-worn condition of the Martini-Henry Carbines belonging to the Corps. During the season these weapons were examined by the Ordnance 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 uniform of the several grades of the Corps with a view to its simplification and cheapening; their recommend- ations will be embodied in the new draft Regulations.

26. Requisitions for the Capitation Grant for Efficients have been sent direct to the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer.

27. It will, I think, be gathered from the preceding paragraphs of this report and from the enclosures to it that the progress of the Corps during the season has been steady and continuous. It is true that its course is not free from difficulties, but I am satisfied that, with self-denying effort on 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 a 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.