CAB11-57-1 — Page 243

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submitted in 1892, stated as follows:- "The Committee do not concur in the proposals for the formation of a mounted troop as originally suggested. The utility of it seems very doubtful in a mountainous country like this. Foot patrols, with an efficient field telegraph and system of signalling carefully organized, would be far more effective."

7. Since the Committee reported as above there has been some change in the conditions, due to the construction of some excellent military roads, and I am not sure that you would not look upon it as an advantage to have a small force of mounted men available as orderly officers, and to keep watch over, and communication with, parts of the island or new territory beyond the general line of defence but with road connection to that line. Such a troop, which I am told might consist of some 25 members, would, if raised, be under the Volunteer Ordinance. It might be called "The Hong Kong Volunteer Troop," and would, from its nature, be a corps d'élite. It would not be necessary for its members to be instructed in any but the simplest drill movements, and they would best learn their duties by riding about the island and getting to know all its practicable paths and topographical details. A musketry course, would, however, be necessary.

8. I should like your opinion as to the advisability of attempting to raise such a troop. If it is formed it would, no doubt, somewhat lessen the numbers of the Volunteer Reserve Association if established in accordance with paragraph 4 of this letter.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. NATHAN, Governor, &c.

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His Excellency,

The General Officer Commanding.

Enclosure 2.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Headquarters, Hong Kong, August 11, 1904. IN reply to your Excellency's letter of the 9th instant, No. 6339/1904/G, I would point out first of all the distribution for defence of the Volunteers as they are at present organized.

The Engineer detachment joins the Royal Engineers, 20 men and 2 guns (15-pr.) are told off to the 2nd Section of Defence (Mount Nicholson), where the emplacements are ready for the guns. 20 men and 2 guns (15-pr.) are told off for the 3rd Section (Bona Vista), where the emplacements are ready for the guns. The remainder are in reserve with guns and machine guns at Victoria.

2. I can see no reason why, if it is preferred, an internal reorganization should not be made to allow these detachments to be found by firms, if it is advantageous to the individual members, and be responsible for their own machine or field guns. A certain amount of drill-not very much-is required, but efficient shooting with a knowledge of the ground are the most desirable qualifications. I must add that at any time some of the reserve might be required on the mainland. It is advisable therefore that the numbers should be kept up so that detachments might be relieved. This should not be lost sight of in recasting small units.

Whatever is done I think all that the military authorities should be called upon to do is to tell off so many Volunteers to their places, and it is for the Volunteers to decide how their men can be most conveniently provided, keeping in mind the necessity for relief.

In my opinion no one should be enlisted as a Volunteer except a British subject, British born

and bred.

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3. As regards the raising of a Hong Kong Volunteer Reserve Association," I am certainly in favour of it. It would be, to my mind, practicable to have mounted men as orderlies of value at headquarters, and at the headquarters of each section, including the mainland.

Cyclists, too, I consider would be most useful.

The most pressing want is telephonists. Sixty-nine telephonists are required for the whole system. Indians cannot be used, consequently the provision of the whole of this personnel falls upon the British half-battalion, which thereby loses one company out of four, this half-battalion being the only available fighting infantry reserve.

I do not think it is necessary for such mounted Volunteers, cyclists, or telephonists, to know much drill, but they should be fair shots, able to defend themselves, for most of the telephonists would be at outpost stations.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

V. HATTON, Major-General,

Commanding in South China.

His Excellency the Governor, &c., Hong Kong.

Enclosure 3.

Government Notification-No. 605.

WITH a view to increasing as far as possible the force available for the defence of the Colony in case of emergency, his Excellency the Governor has decided to invite senior residents who are British subjects to form themselves into an Association, to be called the Hong Kong Volunteer Reserve Association, under the following conditions :-----

1. The age limit for Members to be 35-50.

2. The Members to undertake not to quit the Association within one year of joining it without leave, and to enrol themselves in the event of necessity under the Volunteer Ordinance

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