470
Captain Loveband suitably responded and proposed "Continued prosperity to the Polo Club coupling therewith the name of the Hon. F. H. May, who replied in a speech teem- ing with Irish wit and humour. Other toasts, songs, and sentiments followed and a most enjoyable and happy evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne."
RICE RIOT AT LIENCHOW.
10th June.
Information is published by the native papers of a serious state of affairs at the city of Lienchow, due to the scarcity of rice. Open rebellion is threatened and three hundred soldiers have been sent from Canton and further troops from Chowchowfu.
This affair is probably the origin of a report that was in circulation yesterday to the effect that Chowchowfu had been captured by rebels.
THE PLAGUE.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
by the day boats, this would be no inconvenience. The wonder is that one of our local enterprising steamer companies has not put a fast boat on The Steamboat Com- the run before this." pany may possibly adopt the suggestion when it has the railway to compete against.
THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEER
CORPS.
The following reports ou the Hongkong Volunteer Corps are published in the Gazette: FROM THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING CHINA AND HONGKONG TO HIS EX-
IN
CELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT, HONGKONG.
[June 11, 1898.
The "A" Machine Gun Company has, I be- lieve for the first time, been recruited up to its full strength, and now numbers 51 of all ranks.
The establishment of the Corps makes provi- sion for three Machine Gun Companies, and the requisite guns for them all are in stock: It was hoped that during the season another com- pany might have been formed, but no steps have been taken in this direction for two reasons; first, because it was thought desirable to await the coming into force of the proposed new regulations, and, secondly, because the local Government has repeatedly and emphatically expressed its desire that no expenditure should take place in excess of the sum voted for the Volunteers.,
Head Quarter Office,
3.-Some months ago a small Drum and Fife Hongkong, 30th April, 1898. Band, consisting of 22 enrolled members of the Sir, I have the honour to enclose the Com- Corps and 1 unenrolled boy signaller, was mandant's report of the training of the Hong-formed, principally through the exertions of kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1897-98. Battery Sergeant-Major Duncan and Sergeant- Chowchowfu is an important city near 2-I made the annual inspection of the Drummer Hayward. The Band has attained a Swatow, and Lienchow is a town in the neigh-Corps on the 14th instant, when the men fair degree of proficiency, and its services are bourhood.
turned out well and looked healthy and fit for highly appreciated by the members of the work; with one exception they performed their Corps. drill on the uneven parade ground in a satis- factory manner.
3. The 7-pr. guns,
Máxims, Arms, and equipment appear to be in a serviceable con- dition, but I understand from the Commandant's report that the carbines are old and worn out. I have already communicated with the Colonial Government on this subject and recommended that the Corps be re-armed with either the 303 Lee-Metford carbine or the Martini-Enfield carbine.
Last week there were 68 cases of plague and 63 deaths. The daily returns for the present week are as follows:-
June 5
6
9
Cases. Deaths,
6:
6
3
4.—I observe, with great pleasure, that Gun THE TYPE OF STEAMER FOR THE practice with the Field Battery and Maxim Guns has taken place far more frequently than WEST RIVER.
in any former drill season, that the members of "Light Draught Steamers for River Service, both units take great interest in these prac with remarks on types suitable for the Westtices and are shooting better; which is after all River Trade" is the title of a paper by Mr. J. the main object of volunteer training. Dalziel, a member of the Institution of En- gineers and Shipbuilders of Hongkong, which has just been published for the Institution by Kelly and Walsh,. Limited. Mr. Dalziel in an introductory section discusses the development of the river, steamer and the gradual dis- placement of the paddle by the twin screw, but states that of late years the paddleboat has had a new lease of life granted it, due to
the demand for fast excursion steamers on the Thames and Clyde, and the cross Channel trade in connection with the Railway Companies, and the production of many. splendid speci-
over,
mens of naval architecture and marine en- In river gineering has been the result.. cargo boats for draughts of six feet and he goes on to say, "it may be con- sidered proved that the twin screw fulfils all the conditions required from a successful propeller; but for draughts of less than six feet some other variety is preferable. Dismissing all devices which may be said to be only in the experi- mental stago, we have nothing left but to choose between side and stern wheels. Local experience of, shallow water navigation being small, we cannot do better than take the benefit of the experience of American engineers! gained on the limitless waterways of the Mississippi, Mis- souri, Hudson, Sacramento and other ¡rivers.”
Mr. Dalziel then proceeds to discuss the various types of American river steamers, and, coming to the demand for light draught steamers for the West River, he recommends the adoption of the stern wheel type for the trade above Samshni, twin-screw vessels being used up to that point. A set of outline draw ings of a stern wheel steamer accompanies the pamphlet.
In the course of his paper Mr. Dalziel says:- Our local river steamers are evidently far behind as regards speed. A modern twenty- knot paddle-boat could do the round trip from here to Canton easily in daylight, and burn very little more coal than those at present run- ning the service. The distance is roughly 85 miles. Leaving Hongkong at 8 a.m. they would arrive at Canton at noon; and leaving Canton at 2 p.m. would arrive at Hongkong at 6 p.m. Of course that is taking passengers and their luggage only; but as at present most of the cargo is carried by the night, boats (a fact due partly to the Customs' restrictions in Canton, and partly to their lying all day in port), there is seldom any heavy freight goes
5.-The annual camp of instruction at Stone cutters' Island was again well attended in Octo- ber, and the Commandant's report shows that the practical duties of outpost, reconnoitreing, field firing, etc., practised there have borue good results, in addition to which the nine days outing is greatly appreciated by all ranks and doubtless helps recruiting and engenders a soldierly spirit.
6. Several men were absent from the gen- eral inspection parade.
7. I recognize the zeal and energy of Major Sir John Carrington, and am glad to find that he is so well supported by the Officers and Non- Commissioned Officers under his command in all that concerns the welfare of the Corps; in fact, the smallness of numbers is the main fault that can be lodged against the Hongkong Volun- teers,a shortcoming which, I trust, all ranks will do their best to remedy. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
W. BLACK, Major-General.
FROM THE COMMANDANT, HONGKONG VOL- UNTEER CORPS, TO THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL (A) AND CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, CHINA.
Volunteer Head Quarters,
Hongkong, 18th April, 1898. Sir, I have the honour to forward herewith the documents mentioned in the margin re- lating to the training of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps for the season 1897-98 for the information of His Excellency the General Officer Commanding and for favour of trans- mission to His Excellency the Governor.
ESTABLISHMENT.
2. A comparison of Enclosure No. 9 with the corresponding document for the training of 1896-97 shows that the total strength of the Corps is now 176 of all ranks as against 159 of all ranks at the former date. This is the greatest strength to which the Corps has yet attained since its re-organization in 1893.
4-During the season the question of the formation of a small Engineer Company of the Corps has been under consideration, but a final decision has not yet been reached.
5. There have been several changes among the Officers of the Corps during the season.
His Excellency Sir W. Robinson, G.C.M.G., Honorary Colonel of the Corps, left the colony and vacated his appointment on the 1st Febru ary, 1898.
In the Field Battery Captain J. McCallum, who had been placed on the Supernumerary List, resigned his commission on the 18th Jan- uary. 1898, on being posted to a Battery of Volunteer Artillery in Scotland. This Officer, whose service dates as far back as May, 1878, has done much good work for the Corps. Lieutenant A. Chapman was promoted Captain to command the Field Battery when Captain McCallum was placed on the Supernumerary List.
|
On the 28th November, 1897, Lieutenant W. K. Wylie died, under` melancholy circum. stances, to the great regret of all ranks of the Corps. The vacancy caused by his death was filled on the 3rd February, 1898, by the appoint- ment of Mr. M. W. Slade to be Lieutenant.
Lieutenant H. E. Denson, who was, on the 21st March, 1896, seconded for a period of two years, was struck off the strength of the Corps from the 21st March, 1898, as being absent
without leave.
6. In the
1
A" Machine Gun Company Sergeant E. D. Sanders was gazetted Captain on the 22nd July, 1897, in succession to Captain C. M. Adamson, resigned, and Sergeant &, C. Fullerton was gazetted Lieutenant on the 30th April, 1897, in succession to Lieutenant A. MCP. Marshall, resigned.
DISCIPLINE, TRAINING, AND INSTRUCTION, 7.The discipline of the Corps has been uniformly good throughout the season.
8.-The usual drills and musketry practices have been well attended. Under this head the figures for the two units are severally as follows —
Field Battery-
74 have become efficient with more than
40 drills.
21 have become efficient with less than
40 drills.
25 are non-efficients.
120
A Machine Gun Company-
26 have become efficient with more than
40 drills.
12 have become efficient with less than 40
drills.
13 are non-officients.
51
Of the 25 non-efficients in the case of the During the season 4 members have died, 1 Field Battery, 2 are absent from the colony on has been dismissed, 1 has been struck off the leave, 7 are absent from the colony without strength, and 32 have resigned. Of the resign- leave, 4 are recruits who have not had sufficient ing members 20 have left the colony, and 3 time since joining to complete their drills, have been discharged on medical certificate; 554 are on methical certificate, and the remaining new members have been enrolled.
The Field Battery now numbers 120, as com- pared with an establishment of 80 as fixed by the existing regulations of the Corps.
8, although in the colony, have not completed the requisite number of drills.
14
In the case of the 13 non-efficients of the A" Machine Gun Company, one is absent from
Page 10Page 11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.