353
one day was 8.50 inches on the 28th June, while no rain fell on 230 days of the year. The relative humidity of the atmosphere throughout the year was 77 per cent. as compared with an average of 78 per cent. during the past 10 years. The average daily amount of sunshine was 47 hours being 42 per cent. of the possible
duration.
X.--POSTAL SERVICE.
The revenue derived from all sources of the postal service amounted to $414,867.20, an increase of $27,801.01 on that of the previous year. The sale of of stamps realised $373,877.73, or $19,927.74 more than was realised in 1902- All other branches of the service showed an increase over the returns for the pre. vious year.
Negotiations were entered into for the establishment of parcel-post services between this Colony and the United States of America and the Philippine Islands, and between this Colony and the Netherlands East Indies.
The transmission of letters to Europe via the Siberian route at the same rates of postage as for transmission viâ Suez, came into operation on the 13th October.
XI. MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.
(a.) REGULAR FORCES.
The following return shows the number and composition of the forces employed in the Colony during 1903:-
CORPS.
Officers.
General Staff,.
Garrison Staff,
Royal Garrison Artillery,
20
Hongkong Singapore Bn. R. G. A., 16
Chinese S. M. M. Co. R. E...
Royal Engineers,
1st Sherwood Foresters,..
Army Service Corps,
Royal Army Medical Corps,
**
A. O. Department and Corps,
A. P. Department and Corps,
Indian Sub-Medical Department, Educational Department,
Army Chaplains Department, 110th Maliratta L. I.,
93rd Burma Infantry,
114th Mahrattas,
EUROPEANS.
Warrant
Officers.
INDIANS.
CHINESE.
TOTALS.
N. C. O's
& Men.
Officers.
N.C.O.'s
& Men.
N. ('. O.'s
& Men.
::ཨྰཿདཿ
1
534
556
480
514
13
172
189
70
70
31
714
777
7
12
51
51
60
تن:
11
8
1
:
11
9 12
15
703
729
17
731
757
16
724
752
Totals,
140
15
1,576
56
2,638
70
4,495
(b.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.
The Colony contributed $961,408.50 (being the statutory contribution of 20 per cent. of revenue, towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony and Barrack Services.