[English] Volunteering in Hongkong. FORMATION OF "SCOUTS" COMPANY.

Volunteering in Hongkong.

FORMATION OF "SCOUTS" COMPANY.

MR. C. H. ROSS' SCHEME MEETS WITH APPROVAL.

The attached correspondence relative to the appeal of H. E. the Officer Administering the Government to the principal firms in Hongkong has been forwarded to us for publication:-

Hongkong, 11th July, 1910.

Sir,- With regard to your circular letter of the 4th instant addressed to British commercial firms in this Colony on the subject of the encouragement of Volunteering, I have now the honour to enclose a letter which I have received from Mr. C. H. Ross offering, on certain terms, to raise and train a Company of "Scouts."

As one of the most important of the conditions mentioned by Mr. Ross is, that the Banks and leading firms should encourage their men to join and give them the necessary leave of absence to render themselves efficient, I wrote, as per enclosed letter, to several Banks and firms who have all approved the scheme.

I have the honour therefore to ask that you will lay the proposition before H. E. the Officer Administering the Government, with a view to his sanctioning the raising of a body of Scouts on the lines suggested by Mr. Ross.

It may appear to H. E. that the numbers proposed are not large, but I venture the opinion that, if once a good start is made and the young men of the Colony realise that there is opportunity to serve with congenial neighbours in the ranks and under Officers of their own choice, a considerable impetus will be given to Volunteering.- I have etc.,

(Sd). HENRY KESWICK.

The Hon. The Colonial Secretary,

Hongkong.

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Hongkong, 7th July, 1910.

Gentlemen,- Consequent upon the letter of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary dated the 4th instant and urging on heads of firms, Banks, etc. in this Colony the importance of encouraging their employees to join the local Volunteer forces, I have received the enclosed letter from Mr. C. H. Ross.

Mr. C. H. Ross is well known to you and has already proved that he is fully qualified to carry out the duties of a Scout Master. More important still he has the confidence of all who have ever served with and under him.

I would ask you therefore whether you would encourage your men to join the proposed "Hongkong Scouts," and undertake to grant them the requisite leave to make themselves fully efficient. If you approve, I would propose to approach H. E. the Officer Administering the Government with a view to the sanctioning and immediate raising of the "Hongkong Scouts" on the lines set forth in Mr. Ross' letter.- I have etc.,

(Sd.), HENRY KESWICK.

Messrs.

The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation.

The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China.

Butterfield & Swire.

Shewan Tomes & Co.

Dodwell & Co.

The Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.

Reiss & Co.

The Mercantile Bank of India

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Hongkong, 7th July, 1910.

Dear Sir,- With reference to the Colonial Secretary's printed Circular dated 4th July, I think the above proposed unit is an excellent idea.

I would recommend that the unit be called "The Hongkong Scouts," and be composed of both mounted and dismounted men. I would arm and dress these men exactly alike, teach them identical drill and as far as possible make them interchangeable.

From experience gained when in command of the late Volunteer Troop, I am of opinion that for "intelligence work" in the New Territory, both mounted and dismounted men are desirable. Many eligible men were prevented from joining the Volunteer Troop, because they did not keep ponies, and it very often happened that members of the Troop having sold their ponies were then unable to attend drills, etc.; under the above proposed system men without mounts would automatically pass to the dismounted branch of the unit and their services be retained.

The Unit should be composed of:-

1 Captain,

1 Lieutenant in charge of mounted men,

1 Lieutenant in charge of dismounted men,

2 Sergeants, 3 corporals and 15 mounted troopers,

4 Sergeants, 4 corporals and 24 dismounted troopers

Total 3 Officers and 52 N.C.O.'s and men.

They should be armed with M. E. carbines, (experience having shown that the Short Service Rifle is too cumbersome for rapid mountain work in a tropical climate), otherwise equipment to remain practically the same as for the late Volunteer Troop.

Conditions of service to be:-

1. Attendance for at least three full days at Xmas Camp.

2. Fifteen Drills exclusive of Recruits Drills.

3. Course of Musketry.

4. Attendance at Annual Inspection.

5. New Members to be elected by vote.

6. Promotions by election.

If Government approve, and if the leading Banks and firms will encourage their men to join, and undertake to grant them the requisite leave so that they may attend the Xmas Camp, I will endeavour to recruit the desired 52 men and get the Unit into working order before Xmas 1910.- I am, etc.,

(Sd.), C. H. ROSS.

Hon. Mr. Henry Keswick,

Hongkong.

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Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 15th July, 1910.

Sir,- I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, and in reply to inform you that His Excellency accepts with thanks the offer of Mr. C. H. Ross to raise and train a Company of Scouts in connection with Volunteering in the Colony.- I am, etc.,

(Sd.), A. M. THOMSON,

Colonial Secretary.

The Hon. Mr. H. Keswick.

Source:

1. Page 4, "Hongkong Telegraph", 14th Day, 6th Month, 2nd Year of Xuan-tong

   • 14th Day, 6th Lunar Month, Geng-xu Year

   • Wednesday, 20th July, 1910 Common Era