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given at Belchers and Stonecutters. I understand that this is now approved and sanctioned, and I hope the work will be put in hand as soon as possible. This should much improve the efficiency of all members of the Engineer Company, and the shorter time to be devoted to technical drills should, I hope, attract more recruits to this very useful portion of the corps.

39. Another difficulty the corps have had to contend with was the introduction of a new Provisional Infantry Drill, which arrived early in August. The majority of the men, however, have now been instructed in this.

40. A Volunteer rifle meeting was held at the Kowloon Ranges on the 28th February and the 14th March of this year; a good percentage of the corps attended, and some good shooting was done.

41. An ambulance class has been conducted this year by Surgeon-Captain F. O. Stedman, M.D. Nine members of the corps presented themselves for examination, which was held by Captain Parker, R.A.M.C. The result has not yet been received.

Services.

42. The staff and the instructors have carried out their duties in a very satisfactory manner. I would also wish to record my thanks to Major Baker Brown, O.C.S.M.R.E., to whom the efficiency of the Hong Kong Volunteer Engineers is entirely due, and who has given much time and trouble in assisting them.

I have, &c. (Signed)

C. G. PRITCHARD, Major, Commandant Hong Kong Volunteer Corps.

APPENDIX II.

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(Confidential.) Sir,

No. 1.

Despatch of Governor.

Government House, Hong Kong, June 25, 1903.

WITH reference to your Confidential despatch of the 17th April last, and to paragraph 4 of my Confidential despatch of the 28th ultimo, I have the honour to address you with respect to the points raised by the Colonial Defence Committee in paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 of their Remarks No. 311 R. of the 16th March last relative to the composition of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps.

2. I referred the Remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee to the General Officer Com- manding the Troops for his consideration, and I now transmit copies of a minute by him and by the Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery, and of a letter by the Comminandant of the

corps.

3. The objections, as stated by Major Pritchard in paragraph 5 of his letter, to the recom- mendation of the Colonial Defence Committee, that No. 1 Company of the corps should be retained as garrison artillery while No. 2 Company should revert to infantry, are valid and worthy of consideration.

4. I am inclined to favour the modification recommended by Major Pritchard, and approved by Major-General Sir William Gascoigne, namely, that the nucleus of the training of the Volunteers should consist of work with the movable armament and machine guns, but that, in order to qualify as efficient, all Volunteers-except those forming part of the Engineer Company- should execute a certain number of drills, and receive some elementary instruction each year in fixed armament work, so as in time of emergency they might be available to act as a reserve to the garrison artillery, which unit, in the opinion of the military authorities, most requires strengthening in this fortress. This arrangement, moreover, possesses the undoubted advantage of elasticity, and if it is possible to modify the Regulations in the direction suggested, I think the popularity of the corps will be increased without any lessening of its efficiency.

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HENRY A. BLAKE, Governor, &c.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Letter of Commandant, Hong Kong Volunteer Corps.

Volunteer Headquarters, May 25, 1903.

I HAVE the honour to return herewith the attached correspondence from the Colonial Defence Committee. I have carefully considered the various points mentioned.

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