Hongkong, 30th April, 1884.
Sir,—I have the honour to report that in compliance with your instructions I inspected. the Suavghat Volunteer Forces in the Field on 29th March, 1884, Cavalry. Light Harte, well mounted on the small but very sturdy Chinese pontes equipment and general turn out, fair; riding 8 tome notable exceptions; traluiug insufficient to constitute good cavalry soldiers, but they would be valuable in aid of out-poste, as scouts, and Arillery.—W tain number of ponies bein; for artillery purposes; Lam aut port harnoas of about 1855 manufacture, much worn, but in good condition and extra! well fitted 5 with a conspicuous absence and talking so often obi Volunteer: sir offic ki and their men well drill movements were not ambitious but were performed without and with an accuracy, " steadiness, and zeal, which taken on the whole and under the circumstances deserves high prai No, I Company, composed of the elite of the Stang Captain Morrison, was by far the best. hai mercantile employ and under The movements in the field were on the whole satisfactory. The troops marched past in various formations; cavalry galloped Brill of the cavalry and artillery was poor ast; artillery trotted past, the subsequent that of the infantry excellent, altogether the efficiency of the Volauteers well corresponded to the purpose for which they have been organi tay arose atthe end, 1 ausparingly tod the following defects and remo. medial effects "ud Remedies.—Cavalry, totally unprovided with fire-arms; sould be furnished with revolve ce to carbines, be-great deal more drill. are in urgent need of new guns and WBE. Sisasiae Bwenais suppression or decadence of this Field Battery would be most regrettable. gunners have plenty of zeal their services would be almost indic to the successful action of the Shaugh Volunteers. hose Latter, it may be assumed judging from the precedent, would, if called out, be required to inst the large Chinese rabble from the native city who could establish themselves in the substantial buildings on the outskirts of the European Settle. monte, from whence they could make plunder. ing raids, To dislodge them 3 or 4 tielde pieces would be absolutely necessary. In subsequent conferences I held with the Voluntesr
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.