May 20, 1897]
completely destroyed by the typhoon of July 29th, as I have not seen a single insect in any of its stages since that date. From this experience we may learn that the devastation wrought by violent storms has its good, as well as its bad, side. I continued making obser, vations on the destructive action of parasites on the eggs of the motli, larve, and pups, and found that the parasites-wasps and flies were more abundant, especially on the eggs, than in the previous year. The balance between the pest and its parasitic enemies seems to have been now restored and there appears a fair promise of the caterpillar not becoming epidemic again, at least during the present year.
THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS..
Headquarters,
|
Naval Range on the Island was at the same time lent by the Commodore in charge at Hongkong, and was largely used by recruits. The Camp was well attended, and the in- struction afforded, consisting, besides the or dinary drills, of outpost duties, guards, recon noitring, and field firing, was much appreciated all ranks. To the success of the Camp I attribute in great part the activity in recruiting which has existed during the latter part of the season. It is proposed to hold to Campannually.
10.-On the 2nd February last competition took place with 64-pounder guns at Stone- entters Island, Six detachments engaged in the competition, using plugged shell. The range was 2,175 yards, and the target was moored between the battery and Green Island, Excellent practice was made by the detach- ments generally, the best results being secured by No. 1 detachment, commanded by Sergeant G. C. Hayward. A report on this competition was forwarded to His Excellency the Major- General Commanding on the 24th February Last.
GWA GODMA YAMAN 9ZONOMOR BUT CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. attained since its reorganization in 1893. During the season one member has died, one has been discharged, and sixteen have resigned. Of the resigning members eight have left the colony. Fifty-two new members have been enrolled. The number of the Field Battery is now 107, as compared with an establishment of 80 as fixed by the Regulations of the Corps. On the other hand, the number of the "A" Machine Gun Company is only 47, as compared with an establishment of 51 as fixed by the Regulations. It is hoped that during the ensuing season the "A" Company may be recruited up to its full strength, and that at least one more Company may be formed. It may be mentioned that the Corps possesses altogether 12 Maxim guas, sufficient for three Companies. It is, I believe, the opinion of competent Officers that machine The following reports. were laid before the gun fire will be found of considerable value in Legislative Council at its last meeting-
repelling a hostile attack on the colony.
3.-There have been various changes among THE GENERAL OFFICER, COMMANDING TO
the Officers of the Corps during the past H.E. THE GOVERNOR,
season. In October, 1896, Major A. R. | Pemberton, of the Rifle Brigade, who had been 11.-On the 13th March last a competition, Hongkong, 26th April. Sir,—I have the honour to enclose the Com. Acting Commandant from the 1st February, in which the two units of the Corps were in- 1895, resigned the command on the departure dependently engaged, took place for prizes, mandant's report of the training of the Hong of his regiment from the colony. The pre-offered, in the case of the Field Battery, by kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1896-97.
sent Commandant was gazetted on the 14th Captain J. J. Francis and the Commandant, 2-As Your Excellency is aware, I per-November, 1896. This seems a fitting oppor- and, in the case of the "A" Machine Gun Com sonally made the annual inspection of the Hongkong Field Battery and Maxium Gun tanity for me to express, on behalf of the pany, by the Honourable T. H. Whitehead. Company on the 8th instant, and now have members of the Corps, their high sense of The firing point was on an eminence near Major Pemberton's very efficient and useful Wong-nei-Chong Gap, and the target, in the the honour to reuder my report on it.
case of the Field Battery, was on the shore of (a). The turn-out of the men was good; services during the period of his command.
4. Surgeon-Captain J. Cantlie, M.B., has Deep Water Bay, at a distance of about 1,700 their 7-pr. guns, maxims, arms, and retired, and Supernumerary Surgeon-Lienten-Jards, and, in the case of the "A" Machine equipment are well kept up and appear ant F. O. Stedman, M.D., has been brought on Gun Company, in a ravine in the same direc- to be in serviceable condition.
the establishment.
tion, at a distance of about 1,100 yards. (b) The officers know their drill sufficiently well for practical purposes and the men handle their guns exceedingly well, both on the uneven parade ground and the steep hill-sides of Hongkong 3. From personal observation I know that the shooting of the Field Battery and Maxim Gun Company is satisfactory, and that all ranks takes a considerable interest in it; but I have observed that time is often wasted and much ammunition expended in endeavours to “find the range”; this ought to be remedied by the use of range-finders at all practices at targets.
4. I notice with approval in the Command- ant's report that revolver practice for Officers, which was instituted last year, has been con tinued with satisfactory results.
5. The annual Camp of Instruction at Stone- outters' Island has again been well attended, and the practical duties of outpost; reconnoit- ring, and field firing practised there must
bear most beneficial results.
6. The increase in the numerical strength of the Corps shows that an augmented interest is taken in volunteering. If sufficient men can be recruited, another Maxim Gun Company might
be raised.
7. The Chief Ordnance Officer will be directod to keep up a supply of Martini-Henry and Gun ammunition.
8-In conclusion, I beg to observe that in Major Sir John Carrington the Hongkong Vo- lunteer Corps has obtained a most efficient Commanding Officer.-I have the honour to be," sir, your Excellency's obedient servant,
W. BLACK,
Major-General.
THE COMMANDANT, HONGKONG VOLUNTEER CORPS, TO THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT AD- JUTANT GENERAL (A) AND CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, CHINA,
Volunteer Headquarters, Hongkong, 17th April, 1897. Sir, I have the honour to forward here- with the documents as per margin con- fected with the training of the. Hong kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1896-97 for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Governor,
ESTABLISHMENTS
2.—A comparison of document No. 9 with the corresponding document for the training of 1895-96 shows that the total strength of the Corps is now 159 of all ranks as against 125 of all ranks at the former date. This is the greatest strength to which the Corps has yet
*
5. In the Field Battery Captain J. McCallum, who is absent on leave, and who, it is believed, is not likely to return to the colony, was placed on the supernumerary list, and Lieutenant. A. Chapman was promoted Captain to command the Battery in his place. Sergeant W. K. Wylie was elected and gazetted to fill the vacancy among the Lieutenants thus dreated.
6. In the "A" Machine Gun Co. Capt. C. M. Adamson and Lieutenants E. Osborne and A. MoP. Marshall resigned their com missions, the former on account of absence from the colony and the latter two because of the pressure of other duties. Colour-Sergeant F. Maitland was elected and gazetted Lieutenant in place of Mr. Osborne. The other vacancies will shortly be filled....
DISCIPLINE, TRAINING, AND INSTRUCTION. 7.---The discipline of the Corps has with a solitary exception, which was dealt with, been good throughout the season.
8. The ordinary training and instruction of the Corps does not call for special remark. The usual drills and musketry practices have on the whole been well attended. Under this head the figures for the units severally are as
follows:- Field Battery
14
72 have done over 40 drills.
The field Battery fired by sections, using com- mon and shrapnel shell, and the "A" Machine Gun Company by single guns. Some good practice was made by both units. A report on this competition was forwarded to His Excel- lency the Major-General Commanding on the 15th March last.
12. The revolver practice by the Officers and Staff. Sergeants, which was instituted during the last season, has been continued during the present season with satisfactory re- sults.
13.-The question of coolie draught for the guns is in the same position as at the time of the last annual report. In the case of an ordinary march out, which has taken place several times during the season, the members prefer to draw the guns themselves; in fact they display a strong repugnance to allowing this work to be done by coolies. During the season there have been no operations at a distance from headquarters for which coolie draught could be employed. It must be borne in mind with regard to this question that the finances of the Corps will not admit of coolies being regularly employed and trained for pur poses of draught, and further that a sufficient
number of coolies used to the drawing of loads can always be obtained when occasion requires. Iam, however, informed that coolie draught
9 have become efficient with less than 40 drills. for the guns has always proved slow and gen- 26 non-efficients.
107
"A" Machine Gun Company--
16 have done over 36 drills,
érally unsatisfactory.
SERVICES.
14.-I have pleasure in bringing to the notice of His Excellency the Major-General Com- manding the zealous and efficient services.
7 have become efficient with less than 36 drills. rendered during the season by Captain L. A. 24 non-efficients.
*47
C. Gordon, Royal Artillery, the Adjutant of the Corps. Captain Gordon not only shows great interest in his duties but performs them Of the 26 non-efficients in the case of the Field in such a manner as to secure the liking of all Battery, 2 are on the supernumerary list of ranks. In particular, the Corps is much in- Officers and are absent from the colony, 4 are ab-debted to him for the skill and pains with which sent on leave, 6 are absent from the colony without he organized and superintended the carrying leave, 7 are recruits who have not had sufficient out of the several gun competitions held during
the season. time to complete their drills, 1 has recently re- turned from leave, 1 is in hospital, and the re- maining 5, although in the colony, have not completed the requisite number of drills.
In the c case of the 24 non efficients of the are absent "A" Machine Gun Company, from the colony on leave, 7 are absent from the colony without leave, 5 are recruits who have not had sufficient time to complete their drills, and the remaining 6, although in the colony, have not completed the requisite number of drills.
9 In October. 1896, a Camp of Instruction was held under canvas during a period of nine days on Stonecutters' Inlänt. The use of the |
15.-The other Officers of the Corps have in every way set an excellent example to the non- commissioned officers and men serving under them. By their regular attendance at drille, their endeavours to procure recruits, and their devotion to duty generally they show their anxiety to promote the efficiency of the Corps. In short, I may say of them that a Commandant could not wish for better officers.
16 Corps Quarter-Master Sergeant Watling and the Sergeant Instructors have been diligent and painstaking in the performance of their duties.
V
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.