Troops in South China Headquarters, Honekong, 12th May, 1903, Sim,—I have the honour to inform you that T have received the Inspection Report of the Shanghai Volunte-rs from Major W. A.C. Denny, A.8, C., the Staff Olticer appointed by me to carry out ths duty as Twas, to my great regret', unable 10 come myself.
Mujor Denny's report is most exhaustive, as T instructed him to report very fully on many matters of miner de! But the summary of his report is altogether satisfactory, and highly flattering to the Otlicers, Nou-commissioned Olicers snd Men of the Corps as " whole, His remarks are as follows "The discipline of the Corps is extremely good, and lowes nothing ty he desired.
Too much time fy spent in mere parade movements. More attention and instruction should be given to the more practical part of soldiering, such as the formation of Advanced and rox guards, skirmishing, attack and defence, care arms ud ammunition, and control of and fire discipline. "The absence of Adjutant who can devote his whole time during the training season to these points must be much felt; and the new system I perform the duties of Adju not, but fail to be of great benefit to Captain Wedemeyer, the present Adjutant, is a smart and most capable Otticor; hut it is impossible for any man who has to attend to other business, to be able to give that concentrated atte minutia and details, such as is requi by the Shanghai Volunteer Corps during their short training period.
The BMusketry practices have been fair on the whole, The new course is a good one, but fixed target practices should not be altogether eliminated from the course They should recognise th chiefly the rifle. and should endeavour to perfect themselves in its use.
'The 9-Pr. B. L. guns with which tie Artillery are at present' armed, are practically useless and quite out of date. This is "most useful 1d dosersing of the Lo-t armament suitable for its purpose. I recommend the 1-Pr. or 2-Pr. Quick Firer (Pom-Pom) as most suitable. A gun firing black powder is of litle use, "opposed as it would be to the most modern weapons which are now turned out in the neighbouring Chinese arsenals.
There are <ix Maxims which are present used by any unit. These 1 Uistribued between the ntry Cavalry: the Intter could use them bj adapting to them the ' Dundonald" [Galloping carriage.
The Artillery Dri should be armed with rev there are no siall arms in the Battery, and it is thus dependent on an escort when moving through the streets. The presenew a few revolvers woud serve to keep off small hostile parties such as might be met with on these occasions.
The big blick pouches at present in use are unsightly and bulky, and only held about fifty rounds. A vartridge belt of brown canvns,—holding 98 supported by cross straps (Sam pattern) would be more serviceable. Such a belt ws shown me by Colonel Mackenzie, and I recommend that " small number should be made and experimented with.
There is no Pioneer Equipmont in the Corps. T recommend that a certain number of men from each Infantry Company and from the Cavalry be trained as Pionovrs, under the Engineer Staff Otticer.
The Band should be clothed in Khaki similar to that worn by the rest of the Corps. Their playing of marching tunes might be improved nyon.
There seems to ho a want of system in demanding ammunition from the rdnanco Stores xt Hongkong. The stock ed to run too low especially ammunition, This isn most impo point and should be at once taken in The books and records are well kept and uro up to date; hut a bottor system ut accounting for daily issues in the Clothing Ledger should be selectd. The present one is too cumbertom" and makes it difficult ty trace details, Twas shown a plan of the new Gun Shed und Armoury; the position appoxrs suitable if the entrance to the private road from the Honan Road be closed by rails, and a wide double gateway.
All rifles should be kept Armoury in the von-training not held by individuals; room should be found. there for the Maxims and Nordenfeldts, the Drill Hall is vu uusuitable place for these guns.
T consider the present Artillery Magazine dangerous: it should be removed to a more suitable site. There is also an absence of Magazine Regulations at both
gulations should be drawn up, based on Magozines.. suggest the" riv died r0- those fu use at Honykung and elsewhere. most useful and 3 such material ts deserving of the beat training, instruction, and armament that can be given it. Lum therefore of opinion that the now syatom, which wlmits of a fresh Commandant every three years or 8%, cannot but result in great benefit to the Corps in particular and to the Municipa'ity The health and vigour of an individual depend upon the quantity and quality of the Llood. When the tissues have been at work, there are thrown into the blood waste products, an if these be not climinated, but through any cause de ned in the blood, they influence nutrition and function and finally produces organic discase."—The Humanitarian. In of Scrofula, Scurry, Eezem: Bad Legs Skin and Blood Dis Pimples and Sores of all kinds, the offer of Chart Blood Misturo are marvellous. Thousand of wonderful cures have been cifected by it. Clarke's Blood Mixture is sold everywhere at 2s. 9d. per bottle. Beware of worthless imitations and substitutions.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.