On my arrival in Shanghai on the Sth of April, 1896, I was asked to put off the S.V.C. Lysrzcrioy RETURN. inspection from 11th to 18th of April, as the Corps had been prevented by bad weather Date, 18th April, 1896. from doing much drill; to this I agreed.
During the time I was there I had an opportunity of seeing the various branches drilling on their several parades, "ud a parade of the whole Corps twice. I also saw each Company volley firing on the ranges, and the Artillery practice at the Point." I'am glad to be able to report that the state of the Cor satisfactory and such as to render efficient for the service for which it is inten ges Tata! preven. one vations causes, '2g Grand Total, 1g the small amount of training rps undergoes the result is most to both officers and men, The Corps is fortunate in having as Commanding Officer Major Morrison, who takes such an interest in it, and who has such a good knowledge of the requirements and working of all branches. The Adjutant is also a good Dosatp Mackenzie, and energetic officer.
Captain and Adjutant, 8.V.C, The Light Horse is only 28 strong, all told.
New Councillor.—The Chairman men-'They are well mounted on China ponies, and tions that Mr. A. P. MacEwen is leaving turn out very well, their drill is steady and for Hongkong, and he has therefore re-fairly good, but slow. Sword drill is weak signed his seat at the Board. and requires much more practice.
Tt is then agreed that Mr. Alford should 'The Artillery has strength of 59 all ranks, formed into a Battery of Fell Artillery, they be asked to fill the vacancy caused by the are armed with 49-pr. R.B.L. guns' horsed resignation of Mr. MacEwen. with China ponies (4 in each team as a rule).
Sanitary Bourd.—The following minutes The ponies are strong and useful animals of meeting of the Board held on the 13th but require more training; they are not suffi instant are ordered to be published ciently handy to enable the Battery to drill Plavyue in the South,—De. Henderson again with any accuracy or smartness. I would drew the attention of the Board to the con-recommend that bits he used instead of tinuance of Plague in the South. With snafues, The old drill has been retained, ard to this the recommendations made by the new drill should be adopted. The office the Board-at their last meeting had for the require more practice; the drivers also require inmost part been carried into effect. and often incorrect. The standing gun drill more instruction, the drill was generally slow The Chapel at Pootung had been ready to receive patients some weeks ago and the is good and the gonners serve the guns well.
Sister Superior at the General Hospital had Tie practice was good; it is the custom to again kindly promised to send nurses there carry this out with only two guns, it would should their services be required. benefit all materially if four guns' could be The Hospital huts on the River bank near employed so that they could be worked as a battery. I would suggest, that, if feasible, the Point were now practically completed and these would provide sufficient accom-the limbers, which are now kept empty, should modation for any imported Chinese cases, be packed ready to turn out at once; this In the unlikely event of a Foreigner being vould also enable the gunners to got practice io handling the ammunition and in distin-brought to Shanghai suffering from Plague the Chapel at Pootung would, Dr. Henderson. Hit, f noticed at practice some hesitation uishing the different natures of shell at every thought, be still the best place to use for immediate isolation and treatment, on the part of the ammunition numbers.
Tt was never intended to collect any number On the whole the state of the Battery is of such cases at Pootung; the idea of a efficient, the guns are in very good order and "Pest House" there was of course an ex-well looked after, and it is thoroughly well aggeration advanced by those who objected able to take up a position and bring an effective fire to bear on any desired point la reasonable to the Chapel being used at all in this way, time. The tubes used at practice were old with a view to strengthen their position, The medical inspection of ships was a matter and not very reliable.
The Infantry consists of A, B, and one at present entirely in the hands of the Customs authorities. Dr. Blanc was the German Company. two former companies there is a want of life and precision in inspecting officer and he would certainly give the movements; the marching, however, was immediate notice should a case of Plague be discovered. steady and the movements correctly done.
The handling of the arms is much better I Ditch between the Bubbling Well Road and believe than last year, but there are still the Race Course.—Mr. Mayne informed the some rather clumsy. The German Company Board that it was proposed to enlarge the is very smart, their discipline seems good and outlet of the ditch opposite the Old Horse their march and movements are accurate Bazaar; by admitting the tide freely in this and very good. More practice is required by way the condition of the ditch would, he the whole of the Infantry in volley firing, which is at present only moderate. The Ne. believed, be materially improved, but before anything could be done it was necessary to Officers do not appear to have their squads et the consent of the owner and lessees of under good control (the German Ca. excepted). the property through which the connecting Complaint was made regarding the cordite culvert rans. ammunition supplied from the Ordnance, Covered. Dust Onrt,—A new cart lately there have been a number of miss-fires and imported from England was inspected by the hang fires.
Board and it was agreed that the cover waa
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.