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HONG KONG.
Minutes.
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HONG KONG
Extracts from Colonial Defence Committee Minutes on Departmental
Papers.
Date.
Subject.
26.2.86
1.10.86
5.7.87
10.4.88
14.7.90
14.7.90
3.7.93
18.3.97
1.6.97
21.12.99
Defence Measures.-The Committee, having had before them a proposal of G.O.C. to acquire some territory near Lyemun Pass, do not consider that the military advantages would be commensurate with the objections to the course proposed. (C.O. 278/86.)
Blocking of Kellett's Bank. The Committee, having considered the proposals of Lieut.- Colonels Ellis and Barker with regard to piles for Kellett's Bank, are of opinion that piles would be unsuitable in several respects, and recommend that the question of blocking a portion of the Western Channel with junks laden with stone should be thoroughly considered on the spot. (C.O. 15048/86.)
Blocking of Kellett's Bank.-The Committee recommend that an experiment should be made with stone-laden junks, and suggest that a definite scheme should be prepared irrespective of any suggestions as to a breakwater of a permanent nature. (C.O. 5496/87.)
Direct cable communication in the event of war.-The Committee consider the only
practicable measure at present is to cut out Saigon and form branch. (C.0. 378 S./88.) Blocking of Kellett's Bank.-The Governor forwards a report showing failure of experiment with sunken junks. The Committee consider that a complete scheme for blocking the bank should be prepared and kept in readiness to be put into effect if the local naval and military authorities consider it desirable. (C.O. 10426/90.)
Proposed Volunteer Force.-The Committee consider that their original proposal for a small volunteer artillery force was best; but that it would be unwise to oppose the new proposals. The machine gun corps would be useful for the land defence of the town of Victoria. (C.O. 10437/90.)
The Volunteer Ordinance, 1893.-The Committee see no objection to the confirmation of
this Ordinance. (C.O. 7537/90.)
Garrison.-The Committee, having considered a letter from the Foreign Office, dated 21.1.97, to the effect that "in the present state of the Chinese Government there seems to be little prospect of cbtaining their consent to anything beyond an engagement on their part that they will not alienate to any other foreign Power any territory in the neighbourhood of the Colony of Hong Kong," are of opinion that in these circumstances the condition under which they stated in their Memorandum No. 74 M on Colonial Garrisons that only a slight increase was necessary to the garrison of Hong Kong practically disappears.
Garrison and Boundaries.-With reference to the minute of 18.3.97, the W.O. inform the Committee that they do not wish the question of the garrison and boundaries of Hong Kong further considered at present. (W.O. Hong Kong 5/7370/97.)
Volunteer organization.-The Committee, having considered the Governor's despatch of 23.6.99, and an enclosed report of a Committee on constitution and expenditure of the Volunteer force, are of opinion that in view of the fact that they have only very recently dealt with the Volunteers in their Memorandum No. 195 M, that the despatch now referred to them is six months old, that the increase in the estimates it recommends has already been approved, and that the next annual report will show the effect of the larger grant and of the new regulations, the Committee decided to await that report before dealing further with the subject of the Hong Kong Volunteer organization. (C.O. 19374/99.)
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. HARRISON.-- -9/11/1907.
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