6.
the Major General is the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony, and that my Diplomatic
duties
may frequently call
me
away,
it
is desirable that the officer
in command
should be of acknowledged reputation
and
fitness, as is the
case in the present
instance. I therefore
am not
prepared
to
recommend any change in a post of
much importance.
10.
so
Attached Returns showing
the
present cost of this garrison, Barrack accommodation for Troops on the Island, and the number they contain ; but I would bring to
Your Lordship's notice, that, though there is accommodation for 1,333 persons at present Europeans in this climate cannot exist in the same small portion of space which is now occupied by the Ceylon Rifles,
they
cannot
in all buildings
be located
on a
ground floor without endangering
their
health : if therefore it be intended to send
out a Battalion of 10 Companies of full strength, which is 1,030 men (without
adding
women and children) in lieu
of the 95th and Rifles now here, it
becomes
necessary either to build
Barracks
or
to improve those of an inferior description not now in occupation of European Troops, the expenses of which as is well known to Your Lordships, would be very great. The present buildings in possession of the Military, will comfortably house the garrison I have proposed, viz:
6 service Companies of a Battalion, complete. 642.
3 Companies Ceylon Rifles. 330
Royal Artillery 54
Lascars Sappers and Miners. 88
14
Total
1128
No. 4.
73 to 3
86