Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 596

No.

34

1904

HONGKONG.

REPORT ON THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS. Training Season 1903-1904.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

His Excellency

Minute by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding.

THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.

Forwarded.

I was much pleased with the firing I saw carried out; also to know that some of the Corps took part in the recent mobilisation of Section II of the Defence.

I have information that the Engine and Light required will be here soon.

V. HATTON,

Major-General,

COMMANDING TROOPS, SOUTH CHINA, HONGKONG.

23rd April, 1904.

From Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps,

To the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, South China.

VOLUNTEER HEAD QUARTERS,

HONGKONG, 21st April, 1904.

SIR, I have the honour to forward herewith the following documents relating to the training, etc. of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season 1903-1904 for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Officer Adininistering the Government :

1. Roll of Efficients.

2. State of Corps, April 1st, 1904.

3. Inspection State, March 26th, 1904. 4. Musketry Return, Engineer Company. 5. Results of Revolver Practice.

6. Report on Gun Practice, .303 Maxim. 7. Do.

don

15-Pr. B. L.

2. On April 1st, 1903, the total strength of the Corps was 274, but of this number, 24 (17 Artillery, 4 Engineer Company, and 3 Band) were written off during April as resigned, absent and not likely to return to the Colony, or for other reasons, thus leaving the total number to commence the year at 250.

The total strength of the Corps on 31st March, 1904, is 230 (including Chi- nese Orderly Room Clerk); of this total, 10 (8 Artillery and 2 Engineers) will shortly be written off, leaving the actual total to commence the season 1904-1905 at 220, the falling off of 30 in addition to those written off in April each year is as follows:-

Artillery Companies 28, Engineer Company 2; leaving totals as follows:-- Staff 8, Artillery Companies 188, Engineers 21, Band 3.

I attribute the falling off in the Artillery Units to the same cause as last year, namely, the heavy Garrison Artillery work and distance to go to drill at the forts, which has now been overcome, and in the Engineers to the long distance to go to the work and the fact that the shed promised at Kowloon has not yet been

fitted up.

The question of Head Quarters also affects the numbers as stated later in this report.