Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 459

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

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49. The annual inspection of the Corps by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding was held on the 21st ultimo. The parade state on that occasion is shewn in Enclosure 12.

50. I have to request that the Chief Ordnance Officer, China, may be asked to keep up a supply of 2.5" R.M.L. Gun, and .303" Cordite Small Ammunition for the use of the Corps, to be indented for as required on repayment.

51. "Crimson" facings have been sanctioned during the past season for the "A" "B" "C" and "D" Companies of the Corps, and are now being applied.

52. The want of a Rifle Range for the Corps has been very severely felt during the past season, with the result that virtually no " Regulation Course" with the new arms has been obtained. The extremne urgency of the matter has been fully recognised by His Excellency the General Officer Com- manding. Plans have been prepared and a site selected, and it is greatly to be hoped that the necessary funds will be voted to allow of the work being put in hand without delay. When the range for the Corps is completed, it is hoped that the annual course as laid down in the Home Volunteer Regulations, 1899, will be completed by the whole Corps.

53. I would also venture to draw attention to the fact that the Corps possesses absolutely no magazine accommodation. The Military Authorities have found it necessary (this office 298/99 (Cen. Registry No. 1462/121/6-11-99)) to take from the Corps the magazine in Murray Battery which had been used by the Corps for some years. As a consequence much inconvenience has been entailed, as ammunition has now to be drawn as required from time to time from the Ordnance Store whereas formerly the year's allowance was drawn and was kept in the magazine ready for use when required.

54. I beg to draw particular attention to the inconvenience which is caused by the totally inadequate accommodation of the present Volunteer Head Quarter Building. The roof of the building is always in bad order, and during the rainy season, in spite of the greatest attention and care, the equipment is liable to damage. Further, during wet weather drills cannot be carried out at all in consequence of there being no hall or room available. Plans are being prepared, and on their com- pletion I trust that the work will be put in hand, to allow, if possible, of the building being ready for use during the next season. The provision of proper accoinmodation, including a Gymnasium, would largely tend to promote the efficiency and popularity of the Corps. By paragraph 40 of the Corps Regulations, the obligation is laid on the Government "to provide and maintain suitable premises for the use of the Corps ", and it is obvious that the requirements of the Corps have outgrown the accom- modation afforded by a building which was provided for a much smaller body of men. I desire earnestly to insist upon the important bearing which this question has on the efficiency and general well-being of the Corps.

55. Requisitions for the capitation and proficiency grants have been sent direct to the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer.

56. In conclusion, it will be seen from this report that the progress of the Corps during the past. season has been exceptionally good. This progress has been brought about by the patriotic spirit and the self-denying efforts of the young men of the Colony, including both those who were already members of the Corps, and also those who joined it during the past season; by the exertions of Officers whose services I have already mentioned; and by the generous recognition and help afforded by the Government and the Legislature. I trust that similar conditions of progress will not be wanting in the future.

The Corps was called out to assist, with the remainder of the Garrison, in the suppression of the disturbances on the Kowloon Peninsula on the 16th April, 1899, and also in the taking possession of the City of Kowloon on the 16th May, 1899. These services of the Corps received recognition from the proper authorities.

During the season an offer was made to Her Majesty's Government of a detachment of the Corps with four Machine Guns for service in South Africa, but the offer was not accepted.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. W. CARRINGTON, Lieut.-Colonel,

Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.