Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 370

To:-The Commandant, H.K.V.C.

273

Appendix B.

From: Lieut. C. H. Ross, Commanding H.K.V. Troop.

HONGKONG, 7th January, 1908.

Camp in New Territories, 1907.

SIR--I have the honour to give you herewith a short report on the Volunteer Troop Camp, which was held from the 21st to the 26th December last.

Site.-The Camp was pitched on the same site as that selected in 1906, viz., on the Southern slope of the hills at the North end of the Fanling valley, close to the village of Ho Sheung Heung and about one mile distant from Cheung Shui. The site is an excellent one for a small camp the ground being level and of a dry sandy composition, with a good stream of water alongside flowing direct from the hill top.

Weather. The weather was good, some rain fell on the 24th and 25th December, but did not interfere with our work.

Tents.-Ten small tents and two E.P. tents were drawn from the Ordnance Store De- partment. The E.P, tents were joined together and used as a mess tent. An ample supply of tent-pegs was provided this year, and though we had some strong wind none of the tents were blown down.

Stabling-A temporary matshed stable was erected for our ponies, it was an improve- ment on that put up last year.

Transport of ponies across Harbour.--The Army Service Corps being unable to provide a lighter on the 21st December, we transported our ponies to Kowloon by junk. On the return journey an Army Service Corps lighter was provided. I wish again to draw atten- tion to the form of gangway which is provided for the purpose of connecting the lighter with the shore. Last year we were given simple planking about 2 feet wide, which worked well except that by reason of its narrow width, the ponies were apt to slip a leg over its side,--this year high canvas sides have been added to the planks, and though possibly the arrangement may be excellent for trained animals, it certainly does not commend itself to the China pony. We had great difficulty in getting our ponies to face it, tired though they were after a 26 mile ride. One pony, despite our efforts refused to enter and as the tide was falling had to be left behind and brought across later in a junk.

I would recommend a plain gangway about 5 to 6 feet in width, with raised edges say about 6 inches in height.

Attendance in Camp.-Owing to absence from the Colony, sickness, and other causes the attendance of members was ten less than last year.

Our present available strength in the Colony is 24. Of this number, 4 are married men who apparently cannot leave their families at Christmas time, 3 were sick, and 4 were unable to obtain leave of absence from their work. All remaining members attended Camp.

Work performed. The march out to Camp (26 miles) was performed with two halts of about one hour each, in 7 hours; the return journey with only one halt taking just 6 hours. I attach a map (which please return) showing the roads ridden or walked over by members during our Camp.

I would draw attention to one expedition, which I think was creditable work performed by two sections each under a N.C.O. working from opposite directions, i.e., from the Camp to Sha-Ta-Kok and over the mountain along the frontier to the Samchun River, and back to Camp via Taku-Lin (Kong Ta Hau) Block House. The path over the mountain by the frontier is very steep, some 1,500 feet in height, the road being paved and in many places stepped". The ride, about 24 miles, took 5 hours in the case of the section working from the North, and 61⁄2 hours for the section approaching the pass from the Southward.