December 24, 1906. |
HONGKONG volunteer CORPS,
FAREWELL DINNER TO MAJOR PRITCHARD.
On Dec. 18th Major C. G. Pritchard, com. mandant of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, was entertained to a farewell dinner at the New Headquarters. The gallant Major has daring his term of five years been a most popular officer, and the regret expressed at his approaching departure is sincere. This feeling is shared by all ranks, and not the least by the rank-and-file, to whom he has endeared himself by his tact and consideration. Withal, be was a disciplinarian, and the increased efficiency of the corps, with its undoubted popularity, reflect the highest credit on Major Pritchard, who has indeed shown himself an ideal Commandant of the Volunteers. No more eloquent testimony of the regard in which the Commanding Officer is held could be had thin the large master which assembled in the Headquarters to do honour to him.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
and we hope before very long to welcome you, back to Hongkong in a higher and more important position than the one you are now relinquishing.
The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm, musical honours being accorded.
Major Pritchard in reply said that was the proudest and the saddest day in his life. After thanking Major Chapman for his generous remarks and the way in which they had been received by the company, he said he was proud to have commanded the corp for five years, There was a growing interest amo: g the members. There were still some, however, who having put in their fifteen drills said "can do", but he was glad those were giving place | to others who were prepired to devote m re time to making themselv. 8 mor. efficient in their work. The Major then related his efforts to get the present headquarters and the sympathetic interest which the Governor took in the project, and added that there was a likelihood of the corps being supplied shortly with winter clothing. In conclusion he Major Chapman presided and was sup-
returned thanks for the addres presented to ported by the guest of the evening and all the him and s'ated that though he was leaving the officers of the Corps.
After dinner, and the usual loyal toaste, Major Chapman said he rose with mingled feelings to propose the next toast. He was pleased to preside over that company assembled to do loucur to the Commandant, but he felt regret that the time had come to say good bye 10 bim. Major Pritchard would leave an honourable record behind him. He had been an ideal commandant, and it bad besu a pleasure to work under bim. He (the speaker) would look back ou Major Pritchard's term of service with the greatest pleasure. During those five years they had seen many changes. The cars had been entirely rearmed with the new 15 ponader gun; it had been equipped with several batteries of maxim guns, and had also been armed with the new short rifle, for most of which they were indebted to Major Pritchard. Last but not least was the headquarters, which would not have been possible but for the persistence of Major Pritchard and the sympathy of the Governor. If they wanted a monument of Major Pritchard they had it in that building (applause). To place the pinnacle on the Com. mandant's hopes they had only to get five or six recruits to bring the number up to 3 HI before Friday morning when he left the Colony As they were aware, they had intended to give something more tangible in token of their appreciation of his services, but it had to be abandoned because it was against the King's regulations. In conclusion be read following address which was signed by every member of the corps in the Colony:
Major C. G. Pritobard, R.G.A.
Commandant,
Colony on Friday he was still commandant till 1st April, but Major Chapman had kindly offered to carry out his duties to enable him to get two month's holiday at home before returning to the regular forces. The corps would be lafi in good hand. He wished them a 1 the best of go. fortune, and he hoped the corps would live up to is motto "Second to non in the Eas."
The Major was the subject of another ovation afterwards Mrs Pritchard being also toasted.
A concert followed and a pleasant evening was brought to a close in the usual manner.
NEW VOLUNTEER HEAD. QUARTERS.
1.
OPENING FESTIVITIES.
On December 15th the new Volunteer Headquarters were opened not with the formal ceremony in which it was expected H. E. the Governor would take the leading part, but with a pleasant at home which was graced by the presence of ladies. The building certainly looks well.
It may not be quite so imp sing in appearanc as some expected, but it is adequate for the needs of the Corps. The Public Works Department was charged with the undertaking, the official directly concerned with the work being Mr. A. C. Little, and though the com thepletion has been considerably delayed, the diff. culties lately familar to most contractors will doubtless furnish the explanation. While there can be no two opinions that the new headquar. ters are adequate, the same cannot be said of the quarters provided for Sergeant Major Higby. They are neat and fairly well endowed with conveniences, but they cannot be described as commodious. Financial reasons probably account for the restrictions imposed on the arch teot in this direction.
Hongkong Volunteer Corps. On the eve of your departure from the Colony we the undersigned Members of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps onnot permit you to leave without expressing the high appreciation of your services as commandant of the Corps during the past five years, the great regard and affection which we all bear towards you and the regret we feel at parting. Your efforts have always been in the direction of a higher standard of efficiency; the present condition of the Corps which has been so favourably om mented on during your term of command by the several Officers Commanding Troops here is a testimony to the success of your endeavours of which you cannot fail to be proud.
The Corps has seen many changes during the past five years, all of which have tended to its material improvement, and have been due to your initiative. One of the most important and one which must have a very beneficial effect on the welfare and strength of the Corps in the future is the new Headquarters, the erection of which has been due entirely to your energy and the keen interest you have always taken in the affairs of the Corps. We regret that owing to the delay in completing the Building you have had so little opportunity of enjoying its comforts.
In saying farewell we beg to tender to you and Mrs. Pritchard our very sincere good wishes for your future, and in asking your acceptance of this address we would assure you that we shall always take a great interest in your career, which we are sure will be a distinguished one
Situated at the corner of Garden Road, and Lower Albert Road, the Volunteer H adquar- ters occupies a position that is picturesque and has the further advantage of being in a central and convenient locality. The front has a granite base, surmounted by brick walls, covered in rough east. The entrance is by way of a short stairway. This leads directly to the reading room on the left and the bar on the right. The former, which is beautifully situat- ed, overlooking the roadway, is well lighted and well appointed. Lavatories and other coo- veniences are found at the side. A rather narrow stairway leads to the offi-es. The Commandant is socommodated in a very roomy and well-lighted apartment, which has been furnished in very commendable taste. Beside this, is the sergeant major's office, and beyond is the officers' mess, in the south-eastern corner of the building. This is a beautiful room and it is beau ifully furnished. The Drill Hall, which after all is the raison d'etre of the building, is large and lofty and seems to bave suffici, at ac- commodation for drilling Volunteers there when the weather is unsuitable for open air practices, The hall is 66 feet long and 52 feet wide. The roof supported by steel trusses brought from England, the span measuring 52 feet. The entrance from the Parade Ground is decidedly
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classic. It is flanked by Roman columns and the whole looks very imposing. Leading off the Drill Hall are the billiard room and the sergeants' mess, with verandah. In the former is a handsome table, on which all games may be played at remarkably cheap rates. It should be mentioned that portraits of former Commandants and Corps record boards, giving the results of the different competitions, adorn the walls, while an additional touch of the picturesque is supplied by the spears and other weapons which are hung at various points. The rifles and bayonets will be kept here in an ingenious arrangement made by Staff Armourer Sergeant Avenall, while the ammunition will be placed in the stores outside, not far from the coolie quarters. Underneath the Drill Hall, and reached by side en france, is the gun shed where the maxim 8 will be stored and where the
armon rer's workshop
The will be. premises are lit throughout with electricity, and are admirably designed. As is well known Major Pritchard has made this work his own,. and it must be particularly gratifying to him to see his hopes realised before he relinquishes the command which he has held with credit to himself and honour to the corps.
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The officers, non-commissioned officers and
men played the parts of hosts to a fair company on Saturday afternoon. The visitors were not unstinted in their expres ions of admiration for the new headquarters, of which the members of the Corps may be justly prond, and their pleasure was enhanced by the hospitalities provided. The Band of the 3rd Middlesex Regiment was present and played enjoyable selections, while in the refreshment tent erected on the Parade- Ground creature comforts were well attended to. On the whole, the inauguration of the new premises was decidedly successful.
ENGINEERS' DANCE.
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Not the least enjoyable of the many gatherings arranged by the Institution of engineers and Shipbuilders of Hongkong was the annual dance which took place in the City Hall on Dec. 14. One of the most popular aveats of the reason, it was only to be expected that there would be a hearty response to the invitations of
Institution, and about 600 or 700 guests ass mbled to enjoy the hospitable pleasures of the evening. With Messrs. J. D. Morrison and E. O. Murphy acting as M.C.8 in a manner that showed they were conscious of the onerous duties imposed upon them, the danos was bound to be a success. The company were admirably handled, and as there was a pervading spirit of sociability and good humour, everything in the programme was carried through with a sest and enthusiasm that showed how genuine was the general happiness. For those who did not worship at the shrine of Terpsichore, there were agreeable compensations in the adjoining rooms, while in other respects the arrangements were of a most adequate descrip- tion.
Messrs. H. T. Richardson, E. Ú. Wilks, W. C. Jacks, and W. Wilson were responsible for the decorations. The stairway was embellished with flowers and greenery, bunting covered the walls, while the ormai of the Institution occupied a conspicuous place. The gentlemen associated with the general work were:—Refreshment Committee:--Mesars. J.D. Logan, J. W. Anderson, J. McCubbin, D. Harvey and W. A. Crake. Bupper Committes :-- Messrs. J. D. Logan, J. D. Morrison, T. W. Robertson and V. Watson. Dance Committee:- Messrs. J. D. Morrison and E. O. Murphy, Invitation Committee :- Messrs. W. Rammy. A. Ritchie and T. Skinner. The Stewards were Messrs. A Milroy, H. B. Bridger, J. MacDonald, J. McCubbin, A. Ritchie, E. O. Murphy, D. Harvey, A. Sinclair, W. McLaren, W. J. Hill and A. Biake. The segretarial duties were in the capable hands of Mr. C. J. Tyndale Lea.
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Dancing commenced at 9 o'clock to the music supplied by the Band of the Middlesex Regiment, and was continued till about one o'clock. The programmɔ included 17 dances, five of which were waltzes, three lancers, three Caledonians, two barn dances, one eightsome reel, qusdrille, 'two step, and Sir Roger de Coverley,
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