Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 1011

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Appendix B.

HONGKONG, 31st December, 1906.

To Major CHICESTER, D. S. O.,

D. A. A. G.

Volunteer Troop Camp in New Territories.

SIR,-In accordance with your request, I now give you a short report on our Camp, held near Sheung Shui in the New Territories from the 22nd to the 27th instant.

I endeavoured, as far as possible, to follow the lines indicated in your note of the 17th December, but I regret that owing to the rainy weather and consequent heavy mist which overhung the hilltops for three out of the four days at my disposal, it was not feasible to pick up points which would make good signalling stations to link up the telephone stations or replace them.

The accompanying map, (which please return) shows marked in red the roads and paths either ridden or walked over by sections of the Troop. Generally speaking the country paths, owing to their narrowness and to the prevalence of cobble stones, are not well suited for large and shod China ponies such as we ride. We had many falls (none however serious) owing to ponies slipping on the cobble or off the narrow stone bridges and high bunds, and though possibly with more practice and without shoes, our ponies would be- come accustomed to such work, there is no doubt that the small local "tat of about 11 hands in height, and accustomed to go about unshod, is better suited for the country in question.

We visited the following telephone stations :-

Sheung-Shui.

Taku-Ling (Kong-Tau-Ha).

Shan-Ta-Kok.

Tai-Po.

San-Tin.

Au-Tau.

Ping-Shan.

"

and followed the line of wires, inost of which however were down or in bad order, pre- sumably the result of the late typhoon.

The Samehun River was followed, partly on foot, partly on ponies, and partly by boat, from its source to its month. Several fordable points were discovered between Lofu ferry and Kong Tau Ha, though possibly at high water these might not be available, Above the last named place the river is fordable at most places. Below Lofu ferry no fordable places were found, but the river could be crossed by ponies at several points with a short swim.

The Kong-Tau-Ha, Fanling, and Kamtin Valleys, were visited and well explored. Castle Peak and Shap-Hat-Heung Valleys being well known to most of our men, were merely crossed en route to the Autau and Ping Shan Police Stations.

I enclose one or two of the reports handed in by members of the Troop after riding over some of this country, which will illustrate the style of work we performed and the interest taken therein.

Our Camp was pleasantly situated on flat ground at the base of the hill about a mile North of Ho Sheung Heung and 14 North-west of Sheung Shui. A good stream of water flowing direct from the mountain passed the site, the soil was sandy in nature and therefore despite the heavy rain we suffered little or no discomfort. Only two tents collapsed owing to the high wind: (in connection I would remark that only four pegs were issuel for each side of the 80 lbs. tents, instead of eight which are certainly requisite in sandy soil such as is found in the Fanling Valley).