CAB11-57-1 — Page 124

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shown himself to be a most efficient Adjutant, and has won the entire respect and confidence of every member of the corps.

42. The other officers of the corps continue to render excellent service. They set an admirable example in every way to the non-commissioned officers and men under their command, and do their utmost to promote the efficiency of the corps. In these respects the officers who have been commissioned during the past season are in no degree behind their brother officers of older standing.

43. Corps Quartermaster-Sergeant G. W. Watling was, on the recommendation of Major Morris, late Acting Commandant, and myself, promoted to be Corps Sergeant-Major, with effect from the 1st February, 1900. This promotion was the fitting reward of long and meritorious service rendered to the corps, and I feel sure that all ranks were gratified at its being made. During the past season Corps Sergeant-Major Watling's duties were, as usual, performed in a very zealous and efficient manner.

44. The Instructors of the Field Battery, "A," "B," and "C" Machine-gun, "D" Infantry, "E" Engineer Companies, and the Band have proved themselves very efficient and painstaking, and have performed their duties to the satisfaction of the Commandant and Adjutant and to the advantage of those under their instruction.

45. The non-commissioned officers and men of the corps have, with few exceptions, attended drills and parades and shown a praiseworthy desire to make themselves proficient and efficient. Their conduct and good feeling in camp have been reported to me as remarkably good. I have been impressed since my return from leave with the steadiness and attention shown by them during drills and parades.

Regulations.

46. The new Regulations for the corps, which were submitted on the 4th April, 1899, and approved of by the Governor in Council on the 25th May, 1899, have been acted on since they came into force. The system, however, of Instructors for the corps requires reconsideration. At present there are six Instructors: one for Field Battery, two for Machine-gun Companies, one for Infantry Company; the Engineer Company is instructed as regards electric light by two Royal Engineer Instructors, as regards infantry drill by the Instructor of the Infantry Company, and these non-commissioned officers are paid a total of 160 dollars per mensem from corps funds. The Instructors are only available in the time they can spare from their ordinary regimental work. I would recommend that there should be at least two permanent Instructors on the strength of the Permanent Staff of the corps: one for the Field Battery and one for the Machine-gun Companies.

47. The allowance of small-arm ammunition, so fixed by Part I of the fifth Schedule to the Regulations, has been found insufficient, and I recommend that it be increased to allow of practice being performed as laid down in the Home Volunteer Regulations, 1889, Appendix VIII, Tables (A) and (B), viz., 49 rounds per each recruit (for which no provision is made at present in Corps Regulations), and to alter present allowance of 20 rounds per each efficient to that of 49 rounds per each efficient (vide Army Order 146 of 1899).

48. The Reserve of the corps, as provided by paragraphs 34 to 39 of the Regulations, has not yet been formed, nor has the Establishment been laid down.

The following numbers are recommended for sanction :--

Field Battery

Machine-gun Companies "D" Infantry Company "E" Engineer Company

Total

Officers.

Non- Commissioned

Officers and

Men.

1

11

1

12

6

6

N

35

Miscellaneous Matters.

49. The annual inspection of the corps by his Excellency the General Officer Commanding was held on the 21st ultimo. The parade state on that occasion is shown in Enclosure 12.

50. I have to request that the Chief Ordnance Officer, China, may be asked to keep up a supply of 2.5-inch R.M.L. gun and 303-inch cordite small ammunition for the use of the corps, to be indented for as required on repayment.

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51. "Crimson" facings have been sanctioned during the past season for the "A,” “B,” “C,” and "D" Companies of the corps, and are now being applied.

52. The want of a rifle range for the corps has been very severely felt during the past season, with the result that virtually no "Regulation Course" with the new arms has been

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