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23. Results of practice, etc., are attached, Enclosures No. 5 and No. 6, also a report by Major-General SLADE, C.B., R.A., on his inspection on February 4th, 1905.

24. Musketry was carried out during Cainp and a number of the members of the Corps have also fired the musketry course with the New Rifle during the Rifle Meeting held on March 4th and 11th.

25. The shooting with the latter was a distinct improvement and in order to further encourage rifle shooting I have started a Volunteer Rifle Club. I hope in my next Annual Report to be able to record a distinct advance by all ranks in this very important branch of a Volunteer's duties.

26. The Engineer Company musketry return is attached (Enclosure No. 3).

27. The Officers and Staff Sergeants practised with Revolvers with good results.

28. Enclosure No. 4 shows the average obtained for Service practice.

CORPS HANDBOOK.

29. During the summer months I completed a Corps Handbook containing Infantry Drills, 15-Pr. B. L. and .303 Maxim Gun Drills, Battery Drill, Fire Discipline, Remarks on Gunnery and employment of Artillery, Description and. use of Mekometer and Semaphore Signalling. Also extracts from Corps Regu-

lations etc., etc

A copy of this handbook has been given to each member of the Corps and I hope it has been an assistance to them in becoming efficient Volunteers.

A handbook is forwarded with this report (Enclosure No. 8.) *

CAMP OF INSTRUCTION.

30. The Annual Camp was held under canvas at Stonecutters' Island from *October 21st to October 31st, 1904.

The attendance in proportion to total strength was better than in previous years.

Out of a total number of 20 Officers and 231 N. C. O.'s and men, 14 Officers and 170 N. C. O.'s and men attended the Camp.

4 Officers and 21 N, C. O.'s and men were on leave of absence on Medical Certificate.

This totol does not include the II. K. Volunteer Troop who did not attend Camp.

DRILLS.

31. 15-Pr. B.L. and .303 Maxim Drills were carried out by the Artillery Units, and Battalion, Company Carbine and Rifle Drills by all Units. The Engineer Company also carried out Technical Drills daily with the Search Lights and Oil Engines.

32. Gun Practice.-On October 26th, Elementary Practice with four 15-Pr. B.L. Guns and on October 29th Service practice from the same guns was carried out from Stonecutters' North Shore at Dummy Targets on the slopes of Chung Hue, the targets were very indistinct and at ranges varying from 3,000 to 4,100, the sandy Platform made ranging difficult, and considering the number of recruits on parade the results were very good.

33. Colonel KENT, C.R.A., inspected the Artillery Units at the latter practice and wrote a favourable report on it. His Excellency the Governor and His Excellency the General Officer Commanding were present.

34. On October 29th practice was also carried out with the Maxim Guns; this practice was good but there were too many jams. This fault was especially remarked by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding and trouble has been taken to improve in this matter with the result that at General SLADE'S Inspection on February 4th, 1905, 3,000 rounds were fired from the same guns without a jam..

* Not printed.