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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] /

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.

198

CONFIDENTIAL.

No. 447 R.

HONG KONG.

C.O. No. 30550/07.

Report on Volunteers for 1906-7.

Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee a despatch, dated the 25th July, 1907, from the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong, transmitting the Report of the Commandant on the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the year ending the 31st March, 1907.

The despatch is printed with extracts from its enclosures as an Appendix to these Remarks.

2. The strength of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps on the 31st March, 1907, was 290 as compared with 274 of the corresponding date of last year. The Hong Kong Volunteer Reserve Association had on the 31st March, 1907, 248 members, an increase of 18 as compared with the number of the previous year.

3. The Report shows that the Hong Kong Volunteer Force is in a thoroughly satisfactory state of efficiency, and does not call for detailed remarks from the Colonial Defence Committee.

4. Since the last Report was submitted the new Volunteer Headquarters building has been completed, and the anticipations as to its favourable effect on the popularity of the corps appear to be amply justified.

5. A satisfactory feature of the Report is the increased keenness in musketry training shown by the majority of the corps. The improvement is no doubt in a large measure due to the increased facilities for target practice which have been afforded by the opening of the new range at the Peak. It is observed that in accordance with a previous recommendation of the Colonial Defence Committee, arrangements will in future be made for the annual musketry returns to accompany the Annual Report on the Volunteer Corps.

6. It is suggested that the General Officer Commanding the Troops South China might be requested to furnish a short report of his annual inspection of the volunteers, which might be transmitted with the Annual Report of the Commandant for considera- tion by the Colonial Defence Committee. Such a report by an independent authority would be of special value to the Governor, and would serve to assure him that the volunteers are trained in accordance with the latest principles approved in His Majesty's service, and that the force is competent to perform the duties allotted to it

in war.

7. It is observed with satisfaction that a Cadet Corps has been formed in con- nection with the Victoria British School, and it is hoped that the anticipation of an early

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