Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 365

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guns, direct laying with tangent sights being employed. During each of these series a surprise target came into view some distance from the target being engaged and the Battery Commander was ordered to change to this target. This target was very difficult to locate and the fire effect in these series was poor. In the 3rd and 4th series on this day the target was visible from the guns. Direction was obtained by means of aiming posts in one series and an aiming point in the other. Elevation was given to the guns by using the telescopic sights as clinometers, the angle of sight having been obtained by means of Abney level. Observation of fire was not easy, this was specially so in the Ith series the target being scarcely visible through field glasses. The results were not good but the difficulties of indirect laying have aroused much interest throughout the artillery companies and all gun layers are now attending regularly for instruction in the same.

4. Engineer Company-The technical examination of the N.C.O.'s and men of this company was carried out on November 2nd by Captains Warr and PILLPOTTS of the Royal Engineers.

Twenty-seven men were present on this occasion and the examining officers expressed themselves as well satisfied with the results of their examination.

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5. Inspection by 6.0.C.-His Excellency the General Officer Commanding the Troops South China visited the Camp on the afternoon of 23rd October and saw the artillery units at maxim practice. He afterwards inspected the Camp, and expressed satisfaction with what he had seen.

6. On November the 3rd, Colonel DARLING, C.E., Commanding the Troops South China in the General's absence, inspected the Corps on parade and subsequently the Camp. le stated that the turn out of the men was good and the Camp arrangements perfectly satisfactory.

7. Inspection by His Excellency the Governor.-His Excellency the Governor made his inspection at 5 p.m. 2nd November. He saw the men at 15-pr. B.L. and maxim gun drill and the Cadets at semaphore signalling and afterwards inspected the whole Camp. His Excellency expressed his appreciation of the general efficiency and smartness of the Corps and his satisfaction with the messing and lighting arrangements for the Camp.

8. Discipline.--The discipline of all ranks was excellent.

9. Medical Officer's Report.-I attach a report from the Corps Medical Officer Surgeon Lieutenant HARTLEY. This officer had much civil work in the New Territories to attend to and was consequently often absent from Camp. During the unavoidable absence of the medical officer Corporal Knorr, R.A.M.C., proved himself well capable of dealing with any cases of accident or illness that occurred.

10. Accounts —I attach a copy of the Camp accounts and a summary of the amount due from the estiinates for the purpose.

11. Remarks.—The Camp was laid out in a similar manner to last year and was again lit throughout with electric lights by the Engineer Company.

Ten Cadets from the Victoria British School attended Camp during the last 3 days and attained a very fair degree of smartness at squad drill and semaphore signalling.

The Naval Rifle Range was kindly placed at the disposal of the Corps for the whole period of Camp so that most of the members of the Corps were able to carry out their class firing.

The Officers and Staff Sergeants shot their revolver course during Camp.

Instructors were kindly lent to the Corps by the C.E., C.R.A. and Officer Commanding 3rd Middlesex Regiment and all carried out their work well and tactfully.

All the Officers of the Corps present in the Colony attended Camp regularly throughout and greatly assisted in making it a success.

I have, &c,

ARTHUR CHAPMAN, Majór,

Commandant, H.K. Volunteer Corps.