HONGKONG.
No.
449
REPORT OF THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
25
1900
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS. TRAINING, 1899-1900.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Sir J. W. Carrington, C.M.G., The Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps, To the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.
Gun Company. "B" Do.
I Nominal Roll of Efficients, Field Battery..
2
Do.
"A" Machine
3
Do.
+
Do.
6、 ། }”
Do.
5
Do.
"D" Infantry
G
Do.
7
Do.
Band.
8 Report on Gun Practice.
Field Battery,
9
Do.
30-1
Company.
"E" Engineer
Company.
“A”B” and “C”
Machine Gun Companies.
10 Return of Revolver Practice of Officers and
Staff Sergeants.
11 Musketry Practice Return of Corps 12 Copy of Inspection State.
13 State of Corps, 31st March, 1900.
VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS, VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 19th April, 1900.
SIR, I have the honour to forward herewith the documents mentioned in the margin relating to the training, etc., of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season 1899-1900 for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding, and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in- Chief.
ESTABLISHMENT.
2. From enclosure 13, with the corresponding documents for the Training Season 1898-1899, it will be seen that the total strength of the Corps is now 311 of all ranks as against 181 of all ranks at the former date.
During the past season, 4 members have died, 16 have been struck off the strength for non- efficiency, 4 were dismissed on civil conviction, and 21 have resigned. Of the resigning members 11* have left the Colony, and 3 have been discharged on Medical Certificate. One hundred and seventy-five new members have been enrolled.
3. The Staff, Field Battery, "A" "B" and "C" Machine Gun Companies, "D" Infantry Com- pany, "E" Engineer Company, and the Band, now number 8, 93, 146, 31, 20, and 13 respectively, as compared with Establishments of 7, 110, 123, 57, 30, and 24 respectively.
4. The new Regulations for the Corps make provision for a Staff, a Field Battery, three Machine Gun Companies, an Engineer Company, and a Band,
5. Each of the new Units, as sanctioned, has been raised,
6. On the 21st March, 1900, Lance-Corporal JAMES MORTIMER, 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was, with the sanction of the Government, appointed Orderly Room Clerk.
EQUIPMENT,
7. The six obsolete 7-pounder R.M.L guns of 200 lbs. have been exchanged for six 2.5" R.M.L. guns, pending the acquisition of breech-loading guns of the newest pattern. suitable for use in the Colony. It is earnestly hoped that this vital question of re-armament will soon be dealt with in a satisfactory manner.
8. Six 0 45' Maxim guns have been sent to England for conversion to guns of .303" calibre, and the remaining six 0 45" Maxim guns will be sent home for conversion immediately on return of the first mentioned six.
9. The Martini-Henry Carbines in the possession of the Corps have been replaced by 233 .303" Martini-Enfield Artillery Carbines, Mark 11.83 Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifles, Mark 1, have been received for the use of the Infantry and Engineer Companies. Three hundred and sixteen sword bayonets, pattern '88, have been received to replace the old sword bayonets. of the 150 old Martini-Henry Carbines and sword bayonets 100 sets were given to the Hongkong Police and 50 have been kept by the Corps for drill purposes.
10. Equipment to meet requirements of "B" and "C" Companies has been ordered (and is already sanctioned for supply). Requisitions for the provision of Mess-tins and equipment for carrying the same and capes, as well as for the requirements of "D" and "E" Companies together with replacing the old buff equipment on Corps charge, will shortly be sent in.
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