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CHAPTER VI (i).

59

(6.)—Action by Postmaster-General.

The Postmaster-General will arrange for priority of despatch for military messages.

(7.)-Action by Captain-Superintendent of Police.

1. This officer will have the responsibility of advising the Governor as to the degree of trust to be reposed in the Chinese members of the force. In the event of war with any Power other than China, it is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in this respect, but, with China as a hostile Power, the Chinese could not be counted on, and the European and Indian police could not be spared for military work. They will be utilized for patrolling the portions of the town inhabited by the Chinese, and in suppressing, in conjunction with the military, any insurrectionary movement. In any case the C.S.P. will provide for the watching and patrolling of the southern shores of the island from Mount Davis to Shiako Bay, including Cape D'Aguilar.

2. He will arrange for the enrolment of special constables, with a view to carrying out the ordinary duties of the town police, thereby setting free the services of the regular European and Indian policemen, who are trained in the use of arms. The special constables would be in charge of the Chinese policemen.

3. He will arrange for the patrolling of the New Territory, with a view to affording the military timely warning of the approach of an enemy, and of any insur- rectionary movement among the Chinese. Patrolling in launches by the water police would prove of great value in this case.

The assistance which can be given by the police in this service is broadly outlined below

-:

(a.) An observation post to be established from the police post at Saikung, on the Maon Shan Ridge overlooking Three Fathom Cove, whence a good view of the entrance to Tolo Harbour can be obtained. In foggy weather patrols along the shore of Three Fathom Cove would be required, in place of the observation post.

(b.) Patrols from all the police posts along the frontier, from Deep Bay to Taipo Harbour, pushed out into Chinese territory, to watch the movements of the population and search for proclamations. The town of Shamchun in particular should be closely watched. It will be the duty of the C.S.P. to devote special care to the improvement of the police patrol system, with a view to putting the system into immediate operation on the outbreak of hostilities. The composition of the police force is described below.

4. The C.S.P. should keep the Secretary of the Local Defence Committee regularly acquainted with every important change in the numbers, composition, and organization of the force.

5. It will be the duty of the C.S.P. to carry out any measures for the of the civil population that the Government and the Military Authorities consider management necessary. Such measures will include those already described under the head of the duties of the Colonial Secretary; such as the supervision of the Chinese population, the search for arms, the deportation of non-British subjects, and the swearing-in of special constables.

6. The C.S.P. will provide police guards for such public and private buildings as appear to need them. He will co-operate with the D.A.A.G. and see that the heads of the banking establishments are carrying out precautionary measures of self-defence.

7. He will give his assistance to the D.A.Q.M.G. in the entertainment of coolies for the following purposes:---

(a.) For working the ammunition lifts in the forts, for which 80 coolies will be required.

(b.) For moving guns and their ammunition into postion, for which some 2,300 will be required.

(c.) For sanitary purposes connected with the troops in the field, for which 48 will

be required.

(d) For carriage of water to troops into the field, for which 60 will be required.

(e.) To act as dhoolie bearers, for which 280 will be required.

(f.) For carriage of camp equipage, field equipment to troops in the field, for which it is estimated some 5,000 to 6,000 will be required.

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