-October! 21, 1897.)
one
programme and each was deservedly applauded. The pranks and witticisms of two brothers, one of whom figured as a sister ("Ring the bell"), were exceptionally good, while "De Hongkong Volunteers", a doggerel song which was rendered by the whole company, afforded much interest and amusement. At the 'con- clusion of this capital entertainment cheers were given for the minstrels, and the visitors then left in the launch.
Before leaving His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Major Sir John Carrington and several officers, visited the guard tent, and the guard, which was furnished by the Maxims, was promptly turned out.
In consequence of the length of the pro- gramme the rules as to lights was somewhat relaxed and it was getting on for half-past eleven when the order Lights, ont" was given, and the camp was all quiet in a very few minutes.
41
Yesterday morning the Machine Gun Com- pany had Maxim guu drill, the men of the Field Battery again receiving instruction in fire dis- cipline in view of to-morrow's practice from the north shore. One Field Battery man turned out in serge uniform although khaki was ordered. This looked very bad on parade and Captain Chapman very properly rebuked the -gunner, and it is to be hoped the offence will --not be repeated. The gunner's excuse was that his khaki uniform was soiled owing to the up- setting of some curry and rice at digner, but even supposing this was the case, he should not have gone on parade in serge uniform without asking permission. Inattention to dress is apt to demoralize men.
16th October.
Much useful work has been accomplished in camp during the past two days. On Thursday afternoon both units paraded in strong force for company drill by the Commandant. After dinner merry-making was the order of the evening, songs and yarns being the principal attraction. While one boisterous chorus was
being, sung "Fire was sounded and there was an immediate helter-skelter of men in all directions for their respective tents, the fire guard taking up their assigned positions -armed with buckets of water. Further orders were anxiously awaited, but in a few minates it was ascertained there was no fire at all and the mes resumed their pleasurable pur- suits. Judging by the prompt response to the alarm there would not be much chance of great damage being done in case of an outbreak.
The night was somewhat squally and in the morning the sky was overcast, The early parade saw a big muster and the drill of both units was very smart. The Field Battery again manned the 7-pounders and received excellent instruction in fire discipline from Captain Chapman, Bat- tery Commander. The Maxims were drilled by their non-commissioned officers in company and carbine drill.
The second number of the Camp Gazette will be in camp to-morrow and on dit that this issue will even eclipse the previous ones. There will doubtless be a big demand for the official organ. A noteworthy feature of this year's camp has It will be been the entire absence of snakes.
remembered that last year some reptiles of normal and also record length were caught, and one gunner received a nasty bite, but this year not a single man has complained of feeling or seeing snakes. We hope that next year the mosquitoeswill have as much respect for the Hongkong Volunteer Corps as snakes now apparently have.
There is sure to be a big influx of visitors to camp this afternoon providing the weather is fine. Firing by both units will take place from the north shore and the targets will be moveable, a few old sampans having been brought for demolition, and these will be in tow of a launch. Sarcastic friends say that the tow rope will be one thousand seren -hundred and sixty yards in length, but the Volunteers have on several occasions proved how accurate their aim is, and on the present -occasion we venture to predict a warm time for the sampans. The most important numbers on the guns have been most carefully instructed in their work and impressed with the great res ponsibility resting upon them, and as far as can be seen smoothness and accuracy will 'characterise the working of the guns. Major.
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. General Black, who witnessed the firing at last year's camp, was very pleased with the men's work. He is absent from the colony at the present time, but perhaps Colonel Elsdale will be at Stonecutters to-day keeping a critical eye on the movements of the corps.
18th October.
811
they world all meet there again this time next year.
Sir John Carrington was then asked to unfurl the Corps flag. He willingly did so and then invited the whole of the men to be his guests for the next half hour, an announcement which was naturally received with tremendous cheering.
3
The second number of the Camp Gazette arrived in omp yesterday afternoon--and had a This number is full of interest not only to Volunteers but to the general public, and as, we understand, the number of copies is limited, it would be advisable for the public to order them from Messrs. Kelly and Walsh without delay.
The 1897 encampment of the Hongkong Vo- lunteer Corps at Stonecutter's Island concludes this morning. Most of the men came away yes-ready sale. terday, but a few remained behind to see the
been A last of what has
most profitable week's camp of instruction. On this point we were glad to hear one or two remarks made to the men by the Commandant yesterday after- noon. He said that those people who thought that the camp was merely a little picnic for the men were greatly mistaken. Hard work had been performed during the week and the men knew far more about their drill and were much smarter than at the beginning of the en- campment. Of course the idea that the camp very absurd ground is only a pleasure ground as a visit to Stonecutter's on any day last week would have amply testified, but still some people have the notion and it is as well to annihilate
itat once.
over
Saturday was an exceptionally busy day for both units, the principal event naturally being the firing practice from the north shore. A large number of well known residents went over to the camp to witness this interesting ex- hibition and they were doubtless well pleased with what they saw. The idea was that an enemy, having landed at Mirs Bay, had pushed a small body of infantry the northern hills with the intention of cap- turing Stonecutters' Island by a coup de main. The body of infantry was supposed to have embarked in junks and sampans at Samshuipo and sailed down wind (N. E), intending to land on the sandy beach adjoining the Naval Rifle Range. The Volunteers, who were encamped at Stonecutters' East, turned out and, by means of an effective fire from their 7-pounders and Maxims, succeeded in preventing the enemy's intention of lauding. The enemy, being re pulsed, make for the Capsuimun Pass under a furious fire from the guns.
at a time.
CRICKET.
HONGKONG CRICKET CLUB V. HONGKONG FOOTBALL CLUB.
This match, which always creates plenty of in- terest, was played on Saturday, 16th October, and attracted a numerous gathering of spectators. Fortunately fine weather prevailed, though the wicket, after the heavy rain on Friday, was necessarily slow.
Thanks to the kindness of the Colonel and Officers of the Hongkong Regiment the play was enlivened by the strains of the Regimental band.
The Football Club won the toss and Anton and Inchbald opened the batting shortly after 11.30, the attack being entrusted to Noble and Cox. Anton, after making 12, hit all round one of Noble's and was caught by Cox. Ward now came in and soon commenced to hit out, his on the defensive. partner keeping strictly
to 62, when These two raised the score Inchbald was caught by Cox. Moberley was runs were added the next batsman, and steadily until Ward was caught at 77 for a useful forty-seven. His last stroke before being caught was a beauty to leg for six. His was the highest score of the match.
At the interval things looked rosy for the Footballers, as there were only three wickets down for eighty and they were talking of do- The enemy were represented by four sampansing all sorts of rash things, such as challenging the Cricket Club to play football, &c. Shortly flying a white flag and rigged with mat sails. In each sampan several dummies were plac d after resuming Moberley, was bowled by Smith. Gordon now came in and things went well for and they were sent in the required direction one
At a given signal by Captain Chap- the Football Club for a short time. Davies man, Battery Commander, the Field Battery quietly hit off fourteen before being caught, and Maxims at once rushed from the prepara- and Gordon and Atkinson carried the score to tory position under cover and quickly came into 135, when the former unfortunately ran himself out. From that stage a very feeble resistance action. The range was soon found and the
was offered by the batsmen, Bowden Smith firing, particularly from the Maxims, was good. The Field Battery got in two direct hits with capturing three wickets in two overs for five common shell, the first of them being credi-
runs, and the innings closed for 188 rans. ted to Sergeant Armstrong, to whom
a special prize of $5 presented awarded by the Adjutant, Captain Gordon, RA. sampang were afterwards beached and
was
The
an
examination showed that only one dummy had not been hit. Many of the dummies were cut to pieces, and all the boats showed many marks of having been hit by splinters and bullets from the shrapnel and the bullets from the Maxims.
On returning to camp Colonel Elsdale pre- sented a cup and badges to Sergeant Hayward's detachment, which won the 6-pr. competition last year. Colonel Elsdale said he regarded these competitions as of great importance and it was for that reason he had great pleasure in presenting the prizes. At conclusion of this interesting ceremony the men were dismissed.
After dinner, at which the officers and men were assembled in one tent, a concert was given and there were so many items that the time of the departure of the last launch was delayed for nearly an hour.
Yesterday the men attended a church parade service, which was conducted by the Rev. G. J. | Williams. A collection was afterwards made amongst the men on behalf of the Alice Mem- orial and Nethersole Hopitals and we are pleased to say that $100 was sul seribed.
During the day many photographs were when the men in camp,
the the afternoon on parade.
men, who were Commandant paraded the put through the movements executed at the last annual inspection. After this be said how pleased he was with their week's work. They 'would part on the best of terms and he hoped
taken
were
once In
Johnston and Monnsey opened the batting for the Cricket Club to the bowling of Swan and Gordon. Monnsey did not stay long, being caught by Inchbald off Gordon for eight.
Hamilton followed. Johnston continued to dò the bulk of the scoring, punishing the leg balls repeatedly, but after making twenty- two he was caught off Gordon by Ward. Cox now joined Hamilton and after, rapidly Three wickets for 65. Shortly after this hitting off twenty-seven was yorked by Davies. Hamilton was caught in the slips by Davies. Smith and Langhorne getting together made things very lively and practically won the match, as the remaning five batsmen only added nine- teen runs between them. They were both let off more than once and with a little luck the Football Club might had won; however, they
made a fair match of it. Davies and Anton were the most successful bowlers, the former taking four wickets for thirty-one and the latter two for sixteen. Score:-
FOOTBALL CLUB.
AS Anton, e Cor, b Noble C. Inchbald, o Coz, b8 Smith A. G Ward, & Smith, b Noble
12 12
H. 8 Moberley, H.K.B. b Smith.
7
28
P. G. Davies, B A., c Langhorne, b Smith... 14
Burg -Capt Swan, b Bowden Smith
J. M. Arkinson, e Cox, b Mackenzie....
10
EL. W kor, o Smith, b Bowden Smith
C. Gordon, W.Y.K, run out
B C. Creagh, e Langhorne, b Bowden Smith. F. IL Kow, not out
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