Sessional_Paper_1906 — Page 580

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With reference to the above Table it is satisfactory to note that a far larger number than usual have attended over 30 drills; it may be mentioned that, without including the Staff, 12 members have attended over 100 drills, the record number being 177 credited to Bom- bardier F. O. DAY, Right Half No. 2 Company, H. K. V. A.

Table III is a nominal roll of Efficients,

8. Drills have been carried out throughout the year by the Artillery Units with the 15-pr. B. L. Guns and 303 Maxims in addition to Infantry Drill. The Troop have carried out frequent mounted drills, and the Engineer Company have had technical instruction at Kowloon with the oil engines and searchlights in addition to actual working in conjunction with the Royal Engineers with the various engines and searchlights in the Command.

All Units have taken part in Field Days together, and a number of the men have had a short training in entrenching.

9. On December 16th, 1905, a number of the members of the Corps took part in Field Firing in conjunction with the Royal Engineers and the Royal West Kent Regiment, and were praised for the way in which they carried out their duties.

10. On January 25th, 1906, (Chinese New Year's Day) the Corps took part in a Field Day; in the morning, half the Corps attacked a strong position held by the remainder, and in the afternoon the attacking force retired and took up a defensive position which was in turn attacked by the former defending force, this was a good opportunity for the Troop and the other Units to work in conjunction, and some good scouting work was done.

11. Early in February, 1906, a general mobilization of 3 sections of the defence took place in which the Navy formed the attacking force. The Artillery Units of the Corps were allotted 4 15-pr. B... guns and the Engineer Company assisted in working the search- lights at Stonecutters' on February 6th and 7th.

12. As already mentioned in the attached Camp Report, the Engineer Company completely fitted up the Camp at Stonecutters with electric light and worked it, during the whole period during which the Corps were under canvas, from the searchlight engines.

The Engineer Company has done excellent work throughout the year and the attend- ance at the night runs in the forts has been very good.

GUN PRACTICE, MUSKETRY, ETC.

13. 15-pr. B. L. Gun Practice was carried out on 23rd and 28th October, 1905. On both occasions it was thought advisable to fire by sections instead of firing as a Battery, this being a better training for the Officers for the actual duties they would be required to carry out on Mobilization. The targets were smaller and more difficult than usual and the rapid service of the guns was very satisfactory. Taking into consideration that in firing by sections practically every round was a ranging round for range or fuze, the results were very · good indeed and show a general improvement in all ranks. (See Table IV and Appendix A, Camp Report.)

14. 303 Maxim-Practice was carried out on October 19th, 20th, 23rd and 28th, 1905, and on February 24th, 1906. (See Table V and Appendix A, Camp Report.)

15. Musketry was carried out during camp with better results than in previous years. Musketry Returns for the Volunteer Troop and Engineer Company are attached. (Tables VI & VII.)

16. Rifle shooting has been taken up with greater keenness than usual and the range at Tai-Hang has been in use regularly on at least two days a week and there have been numerous company competitions besides the general practice in the Rifle Club.

A successful rifle meeting under the auspices of the Rifle Club has just been brought to a close (April, 13th, 14th and 16th,1906) and I mention it in this report as it was really a 1905 meeting, but it was thought convenient to postpone it until Easter. A number of the members of the Corps also fired in the China United Services Rifle Association Meeting which I refer to under the head of Miscellaneous.

31.039 rounds S. A. ammunition were fired by the Corps during the year and 34,074 were supplied to the Reserve Association; it was therefore found necessary to order a larger supply than usual for 1906 and to reduce the Gun ammunition, but I would recommend an increased allowance for ammunition in the next Estimates to allow for this, as both gun practice and rifle shooting are of the utmost importance.