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APPENDIX I.
Despatch of Acting Governor.
(No. 268.) Sir,
Government House, Hong Kong, June 23, 1904. WITH reference to Sir Henry Blake's despatch No. 332 of the 6th July, 1903, I have the honour to transmit for your information ten copies of the Annual Report by the Commandant of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the past year, which was forwarded to me through the G.O.C. the Troops.
2. In transmitting this Report, Major-General Hatton urged the importance of the provision of a proper Headquarters for the Volunteers; but, as the Government is not yet in a position to commit itself definitely to the expenditure involved, this recommendation was, with his concurrence, omitted in printing.
3. The building for the installation of an instructional search-light for training the Engineer Company has now been completed.
4. I regret to observe that there was a further falling off in numbers in the Corps, which has continued up to date.
The Right Honourable Alfred Lyttelton, K.C., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c. (Signed) F. H. MAY, Officer Administering the Government.
Enclosure.
Minute of General Officer Commanding.
His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government,
FORWARDED.
April 23, 1904.
I was much pleased with the firing I saw carried out; also to know that some of the Corps took part in the recent mobilization of Section II of the Defence.
I have information that the engine and light required will be here soon.
(Signed) V. HATTON, Major-General,
Commanding Troops, South China.
Sub-Enclosure.
Report of Commandant, Hong Kong Volunteer Corps.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the following documents,* relating to the training, &c., of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1903-4, for the information of His Excellency the Major-General Commanding and for favour of transmission to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government :-
Volunteer Headquarters, Hong Kong, April 21, 1904.
(1.) Roll of Efficients.
(2.) State of Corps, 1st April, 1904.
(3.) Inspection State, 26th March, 1904.
(4.) Musketry Return, Engineer Company.
(5.) Results of Revolver Practice.
(6.) Report on Gun Practice, 305′′ Maxim.
(7.) Report cr. Gun Practice, 15-pr. B.L.
2. On 1st April, 1903, the total strength of the Corps was 274, but of this number 24 (17 Artillery, 4 Engineer Company, and 3 Band) were written off during April as resigned, absent and not likely to return to the Colony, or for other reasons, thus leaving the total number to commence the year at 250.
The total strength of the Corps on 31st March, 1904, is 230 (including Chinese Orderly Room Clerk); of this total 10 (8 Artillery and 2 Engineers) will shortly be written off, leaving the actual total to commence the season 1904-5 at 220; the falling off of 30, in addition to those written off in April cach year, is as follows:-
Artillery Companies, 28; Engineer Company, 2; leaving totals as follows: Staff, 8; Artillery Companies, 188; Engineers, 21; Band, 3.
I attribute the falling off in the Artillery units to the same cause as last year, namely, the heavy garrison artillery work and distance to go to drill at the forts, which has now been over- come, and in the Engineers to the long distance to go to the work, and the fact that the shed promised at Kowloon has not yet been fitted up.
The question of Ileadquarters also affects the numbers, as stated later in this Report.
*Not printed.--SEC., C.D.C.
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