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CHAPTER III (F).
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(3.) Storage. Every facility exists for dry and safe storage of supplies; there are large spacious go-downs, i.e., warehouses, both in Hong Kong and Kowloon, and mat-sheds would be erected at very small cost in the sections of defence where necessary.
(4.) Protection.-Indian watchmen, and in some cases a small guard, would be necessary over each of the storehouses to prevent petty thefts.
(5.) Manner of obtaining supplies; European rations; frozen meat. The Contractor is compelled, by the conditions of contract, to keep a reserve of 125 head of cattle, which equals the amount shown in the table,
The further quantities available consist of about 150 head of cattle and 25,000 lb. of frozen mutton.
All sheep and goats available would be required for Indian troops.
Pork is available, but not being usually appreciated by the medical authorities, has not been taken into account, except for Chinese.
Bread-stuffs.
It is anticipated that bread for all troops will be able to be issued.
Flour is locally obtainable in large quantities, and under the most unfavourable circumstances there would be half a million sacks of 50 lb. each available. Three months' supply for normal garrison is maintained in Army Stores.
The bakery accommodation is sufficient, and no trouble with the Chinese employés is apprehended, and the coal supply is ample. Biscuits would be issued to stations difficult to reach as a reserve.
Vegetables.
Vegetables are imported from Canton in large quantities. Jam is maintained as a reserve in lieu of preserved vegetables.
Groceries.
Sugar.-Procurable in any quantity from two local Salt.-Chinese salt is available in large quantities. Tea-Tea of all descriptions is available. Coffee. Proposed to be given as a special issue.
Coal.-Procurable in large quantities locally.
sugar refineries.
Fuel and Light.
Wood. Kindling wood is not procurable locally in any great quantities, but there is sufficient supplemented by coal to last 91 days both for Europeans and others, and 10 days for Chinese.
Oil. The Standard Oil Company and the Dutch Petroleum Company both have large depôts in Hong Kong, from where sufficient quantities would be procurable.
Hospital Supplies.
Wines and spirits.-Wines, spirits, condensed milk, and soda water procurable in large quantities. Fresh milk, eggs, extract of carnis, bovril, cornflour, &c., also procurable in sufficient quantities locally.
Indian Rations.
Arrangements have beer made whereby a reserve of 91 days' rations of imported articles for 2,200 men will be maintained by contractor. This is equivalent to three months' supply for the ordinary peace garrison.
Meat.-Sufficient goats and sheep locally procurable in Hong Kong.
Atta.--Reserve (atta) maintained by contractor. Further quantities (rice) procurable by local purchase in Hong Kong. Ghee, dhall, onions, curry-stuffs.-Sufficient procurable locally.
Chinese Rations.
Ample available locally. One month's reserve of rice for 600 Chinese will be kept by contractor under new contract.
Cold Storage.
Arrangements can be made to store three months' beef and mutton with the Company.
13. Food.-Hong Kong is the Far Eastern depôt for all kinds of supplies used both by Europeans and natives; in fact, there are probably few places where so large a stock of provisions could be obtained in so short a time.
There is estimated to be enough flour for the whole population to last 312 days. There are two large sugar refineries, and a store of sugar sufficient to last for years. There is tea in ample quantity, salt, pepper to last for a year, but the stock of preserved meat and salt pork does not exceed 40,000 lb. Within 12 miles from Kowloon Point the mainland furnishes a fair supply of vegetables.
No more
In fact, the only portion of the European's food limited in quantity is fresh meat, and there is no pasturage within the Colony for either sheep or oxen. than eight days' supply of fresh meat can be fed by the contractor within the Colony, but as long as China is open to us there can be no scarcity of live stock; if China were closed to us supplies of tinned meat, &c., would have to be provided for the garrison. The present supply in the Colony of tinned meat, bacon, ham, cheese, &c., is variable, and not to be depended upon.
The ocean gives us a plentiful supply of fish for the whole population, both European and Asiatic.
All the Consuls in the neighbouring countries have been communicated with as to supplies, but the open market seems to be the only sensible way of obtaining an increase in our food-stuffs.
14. Fuel.-There are ample stocks of fuel (coal, wood, and mineral oil) in the Colony to last six months.
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