Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 804

DISCIPLINE, TRAINING, ETC.

705

33. The discipline of the Corps has been exceedingly good throughout the season.

34. The usual squad, carbine, rifle, company and gun drills and practices have been performed and well attended.

Musketry practices have been carried out during the season, see Enclosure No. 12.

35. Gun practices have taken place, both over land and sea ranges, as shown in Enclosures Nos. 8 and 9.

36. The New Rifle Range was taken over by the Corps and opened for practice by His Excellency the Governor on the 8th June, 1901.

37. Under the head of drills the figures are as follows:- Have become efficient with more than 30 drills:---

less than 30, Non-efficient,.

Total,.

F.B.

"A"

"B"

"

"D"

"E"

BAND.

51

39

15

29

41

15

6

..20

9

14

7

4

6

8

22

6

6

.77

56

51

43

54

25

6

38. Of the non-efficients, 20 of "B" Machine Gun Company have not completed the necessary drills owing to the temporary disbandment in October last, 4 are absent from the Colony without leave, 7 have not had time to complete the requisite number, 4 have not completed the requisite number and will be called upon the show cause why they failed to become efficient, 3 have failed through sickness to become efficient, 16 are out of the Colony, but have failed to notify their departure to Head Quarters and will now be struck off the strength accordingly.

CAMP OF INSTRUCTION.

39. From the 19th to 29th October, 1901, a Camp of Instruction was held under canvas a Stonecutters' Island.

40. The Camp was fairly well attended and much practical work was performed, including company, carbine and rifle drill, outpost duties, musketry instruction and musketry fire discipline, gun drill, belt filling, and lectures and instruction in gun laying and fuze boring.

Gun practice took place over sea and land ranges.

41. The General Officer Commanding inspected the Camp on Wednesday, 23rd, and the Corps and Camp again on Sunday, 28th, on the last occasion there were present 188 of all ranks.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The annual Inspection of the Corps by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding was held on the 23rd March, it will be seen from the parade state (Enclosure No. 10) that there was a conside- rably larger number of members present than at any previous inspection.

The Governor's Shield was shot for on June 8th, 1901, by teams of 8 from each Unit and won by "D" Company,

The G. O. C.'s Shield for Machine Gun Companies was shot for by the Machine Gun Companies at Tai-Hang Rifle Range on the 8th March, and was again won by "C" Machine Gun Company.

In the early month of the present year an ambulance class was conducted by Surgeon Captain F. O. STEDMAN, M.D., the original number was 37, of whom 35 were Volunteers, of these 11 presente l themselves for examination for the St. John Ambulance Association, all of them being Volunteers.

Of this number again 10 were successful in the examination.

The examination was held by Major S. F. CLARK, R.A.M.C.

Requisitions for the Capitation and Proficiency grants have been sent to the Honourable the Colo- nial Treasurer.

Proposals have been put forward to change some of the Units into Garrison Artillery and I am of opinion that the majority of the members would welcome such a change, (the number of Units could be much reduced so that the discipline, interior economy, etc., would be in better control) and there is no doubt that the Corps would then be of far greater service for the defence of the Colony.

It would appear that no steps have been taken to provide the New Head Quarters for the Corps although these have been in the Estimates for some years, it would be of inestimable value to the Corps if this work could be taken in hand, and, in my opinion, greatly assist in recruiting. The discipline of all ranks can never be up to the proper standard until the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men are provided with separate Messes and a Canteen as allowed for in the plans of the new building.

SERVICES.

Owing to the fact that I left the Colony on July 11th, 1901, and have joined as Commandant since March 31st, 1902, I cannot well make any remarks on the services of the Staff, etc., but I should like to mention that I understand that Sergeant-Major POWER, all the Instructors, and the remainder of the Staff have performed their duties in an efficient and satisfactory manner.