AKL
484
His Excellency the acting Governor has represented to me (copy of letter herewith enclosed and any reply) that the very large increase in the population of Hong Kong together with the accession of territory Kowloon Peninsula renders it advisable that the Garrison should be increased.
The Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals, Mr Home, having also represented that the Troops at present have only 4/5 nights in bed I am increasing the Garrison by 200 men & on the withdrawal of the troops from Kowloon I shall be able to make still further increase of 200.
The present Garrison of Hong Kong numbers 1402 on duty over, this will raise it to 1802 on duty.
The evacuation of Kowloon has been deferred at first & Bruce's request until he receives instructions from you on the subject.
Under these circumstances I shall not send to England the rest of the 13 Brigade R Artillery as I had reported to you in my letter of...