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13. As regards training, I was given to understand that not much has been done in the past, but capital training ground exists on the Kowloon Peninsula and General Broadwood intends to take full advantage of it. There are no local difficulties, and facilities exist for transportation of men from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. There are no difficulties as regards field firing, entrenching, or company training. General Broadwood intends to systematically survey, map, and reconoitre the whole of the Kowloon Peninsula to the Chinese frontier.
14. Hong Kong is badly off for recreation grounds, soldiers have to go a long way to obtain cricket and football facilities, but it is recognised that this cannot be helped.
The summer barracks or sanatorium on the Peak, at Mount Austin, are excellent, there is tramway communication to them.
15. I also inspected the Ordnance stores. These establishments have recently been inspected by the Inspector of Equipment and Ordnance Stores and fully reported on. I found them in good order.
16. It was reported to me that there is a dispute between the War Department and the Admiralty regarding the appropriation of the Admiralty reclamation of the foreshore, in front of the Wellington Barracks and Army Service Corps yard.
I
There has been, I understand, much correspondence on this subject and various proposals made as to a separation of the Army and Navy Ordnance Establishments. Beyond all doubt it is very desirable that the Army services. should have adequate wharfage for landing and handling Army stores. inspected the site and am very strongly of opinion that this is a matter which should be settled locally between the Naval Commander-in-Chief and the General Officer Commanding, with his Excellency the Governor to act as arbitrator over any disputed point that may arise. It seems ridiculous that a question of this nature should be allowed to drag on indefinitely. The appro- priation suggested, appeared to me fair and reasonable.
17. An aerial line, recently put up at great cost, was pointed out to me, leading from the Ordnance Store Wharf to the magazine half way up the Peak. It was represented to me that the Admiralty paid the greater part of the expense of its construction, but now that it is completed it is to all intents and purposes useless, is extravagant to keep up, and is infinitely more expensive than coolie labour, of which there is plenty.
18. On Friday, the 8th February, I inspected the coast defences and witnessed gun practice from the 9.2-inch guns at Fort Pottinger, and the 6-inch guns at Forts Gough and Saiwan. The practice, if somewhat slow, was good. I have already said that in the main I concur with the recommendations of General Owen's Committee, and it appeared to me that when carried out a considerable reduction in expense will be effected and a gain in efficiency attained, provided that only the mark of gun recommended is mounted, and that more powerful electric lights are installed at Stonecutters West and Belchers. The barracks of the companies of Royal Garrison Artillery at the forts, when completed, will be admirable, and every consideration has been given to comfort and sanitation.
19. A great deal has been done, and well done, at Hong Kong in the matter of sanitation, the civil authorities are to be congratulated on what they have accomplished as regards drainage, and the cementing of the water khors leading from the hills. No water is allowed to stagnate, and as a consequence mosquitoes are kept under with a corresponding decrease in malaria. But there is still much to be done in our barracks, and I am certain that when both regimental and medical officers are worked up to attend more thoroughly to these matters, there will be a still further decrease in malarial diseases. General Broadwood is fully alive to the importance of this question, and I am very hopeful of still better results.
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