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British Chinese
Total
Grand total
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65
WATER POLICE.
2
11
14
11
59
70
1
13
70
84
13
38
529
580
The Europeans and Indians are armed with Martini-Henry carbines and sword bayonets; the Chinese with swords only.
In case of war with any Power other than China, it is anticipated that 50 European and 100 Indian police, all trained to the use of arms, and the majority marksmen, can be spared to give assistance in the military defence, besides 100 Chinese who would be useful only for patrolling, and obtaining information, but invaluable for the latter purpose.
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.
In any case the southern shores of the island from Mount Davis to Shiako Bay,
including Cape D'Aguilar, will be patrolled and watched by the police.
A system of police patrols has already been tried and found to answer well.
Fire Brigade.-A fire brigade already exists, composed as follows:---
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Engineer
Assistant engineer
British engine-drivers
Assistants
Chinese engine-drivers
Foremen
Assistant foremen
British firemen
Chinese 22
Chinese stokers
29
watchmen
interpreters
Seamen (floating fire-engine)
Grand total
:::::
1
1
1
1
5
3
12
3
3
28
22
60
89
8
13
27
7 一99
There are also attached to the brigade an Inspector and Assistant Inspector, for the purpose of attending to the storage of dangerous goods, but they do not do any other brigade work.
The brigade is manned by members of the police force, who receive extra remune- ration, and are available for attending fires when off duty only. Six of the firemen are British soldiers of the garrison, lent for the purpose in peace-time, but whose places, as well as those of most of the policemen, would have to be filled in war-time by civilian volunteers, who would, it is assumed, come forward in large numbers to supplement the brigade, which forms an efficient nucleus.
For the purpose of fire prevention and control, the city of Victoria is divided into three districts-Western, Central, and Eastern, the limits of which are fixed at the Harbour Office and Murray Barracks. On the occasion of a fire the locality is notified by three tolls of the bell for the Western, two for the Central, and one for the Eastern district.
The head-quarters of the brigade are at No. 5 station in Queen's Road, Central, and in it are kept all the stores and the engines that are not located elsewhere. A certain number of European and Chinese firemen also sleep here, and the Assistant Engineer, who is responsible for the upkeep of the engines and appliances, is permanently located at this station.
The other and subsidiary stations are at the police stations at West Point, Wanchai, Yaumati, Sai-ki-Wan, and Aberdeen.
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