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Enclosure.

Sir,

From the Commandant, Hong Kong Volunteer Corps, to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General (A) and Chief Staff Officer, China.

Volunteer Head-quarters, Hong Kong, April 18, 1898.

I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the documents* mentioned in the margin relating to the training of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for the season 1897-98 for the information of his Excellency the General Officer Commanding, and for favour of transmission to his Excellency the Governor.

Establishment.

2. A comparison of Enclosure No. 9 with the corresponding document for the training of 1896–97 shows that the total strength of the corps is now 176 of all ranks, as against 159 of all ranks at the former date. This is the greatest strength to which the corps has yet attained since its reorganization in 1893.

During the season 4 members have died, 1 has been dismissed, 1 has been struck off the strength, and 32 have resigned. Of the resigning members 20 have left the Colony, and 3 have been discharged on medical certificate; 55 new members have been enrolled.

The field battery now numbers 120, as compared with an establishment of 80, as fixed by the existing Regulations of the corps.

The "A" Machine-gun Company has, I believe for the first time, been recruited up to its full strength, and now numbers 51 of all ranks.

The establishment of the corps makes provision for three machine-gun companies, and the requisite guns for them all are in stock. It was hoped that during the season another company might have been formed; but no steps have been taken in this direction, for two reasons: first, because it was thought desirable to await the coming into force of the proposed new Regulations; and, secondly, because the Local Government has repeatedly and emphatically expressed its desire that no expendi- ture should take place in excess of the sum voted for the Volunteers.

3. Some months ago a small drum and fife band, consisting of 22 enrolled members of the corps and 1 unenrolled boy signaller, was formed, principally through the exertions of Battery Sergeant- major Duncan and Sergeant-drummer Hayward. The band has attained a fair degree of proficiency, and its services are highly appreciated by the members of the corps.

4. During the season the question of the formation of a small Engineer Company of the corps has been under consideration, but a final decision has not yet been reached.

5. There have been several changes among the officers of the corps during the season :—

His Excellency Sir W. Robinson, G.C.M.G., Honorary Colonel of the corps, left the Colony and vacated his appointment on the 1st February, 1898.

In the Field Battery, Captain J. McCallum, who had been placed on the supernumerary list, resigned his commission on the 18th January, 1898, on being posted to a battery of Volunteer Artillery in Scotland. This officer, whose service dates back as far as May 1878, has done much good work for the corps.

Lieutenant A. Chapman was promoted Captain to command the Field Battery when Captain McCallum was placed on the supernumerary list.

On the 28th November, 1897, Lieutenant W. K. Wylie died, under melancholy circumstances, to the great regret of all ranks of the corps. The vacancy caused by his death was filled, on the 3rd February, 1898, by the appointment of Mr. M. W. Slade to be Lieutenant.

Lieutenant H. E. Denson, who was on the 21st March, 1896, seconded for a period of two years, was struck off the strength of the corps from the 21st March, 1898, as being absent without leave.

6. In the " A Machine-gun Company, Sergeant E. D. Sanders was gazetted Captain on the 22nd July, 1897, in succession to Captain C. M. Adamson, resigned, and Sergeant G. C. Fullerton was gazetted Lieutenant on the 30th April, 1897, in succession to Lieutenant A. McP. Marshall, resigned.

Discipline, Training, and Instruction.

7. The discipline of the corps has been uniformly good throughout the season.

8. The usual drills and musketry practices have been well attended. Under this head the figures for the two units are severally as follows:-

Field Battery-

74 have become efficient with more than 40 drills.

21 have become efficient with less than 40 drills. 25 are non-efficients.

120

"A" Machine-gun Company-

26 have become efficient with more than 40 drills. 12 have become efficient with less than 40 drills. 13 are non-efficients.

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1. Nominal Roll of Efficients, Field Battery. 2. Nominal Roll of Efficients, "A

Gun Practice, Field Battery. 4. Report on Gun Practice, "A" Machine-gun Company.

Machine-gun Company. 3. Report on

5. Musketry Return, Field Battery.

6. Musketry Return, "A" Machine-gun Company. 7. Return of Revolver Practice of Officers and Staff Sergeants. 8. Copy of Inspection State. 9. State of Corps, 16th April, 1898.-(Not printed.)

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