Page 38
CHAPTER III (C) and (D).
Page 38
Page 38
38
(ii.) Supplies.
Food.-Hong Kong is favourably situated for resisting a long siege, being 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, and it would be difficult to cut off the supplies from America.
years.
There are two large sugar refineries, and a store of sugar sufficient to last for
There is tea in ample quantity, salt, pepper, and all sorts of tinned provisions to last for a year.
Within 12 miles from Kowloon Point the mainland furnishes vegetables enough for the whole community.
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.
No more than two months' 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 large, and is constantly being kept up from America, Australia, and Europe.
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.
The question of food supply to the civil population is dealt with on p. 80.
Fuel. There are ample stocks of fuel (coal, wood, and mineral oil) in the Colony, sufficient to last for six months, and if the worst comes to the worst the growing timber of the Colony would furnish a supply lasting for a similar period.
Water. The reservoirs give an ample supply of water, and no alteration will be necessary in the present method of distribution by pipes and transport.
Method of Storing Supplies.-The general military depôt will be within the canton- ments, and will consist of the Army Service Corps Offices and stores, the commissariat buildings and adjacent storehouses temporarily hired for the purpose.
The supplies for the Sections will be as at present, as meat will not keep; but biscuits and other less perishable articles will be stored at the batteries of Kowloon, Belchers, Stonecutters, and Lyemun.
Method of Issuing Supplies.-The issue of supplies to the garrison at their various defence posts will be made by water and coolie transport.
(iii.) Barracks.
No special arrangements are required for housing of troops in barracks, When distributed for defence, the majority of the garrison will be accommodated under canvas or in mat-sheds, the barracks in cantonments being guarded by the two
reserves.
I
H.A P
p
2 ོ
V
d
a
r
f
t
है
1
{
i
i
(D.)-Action by Officer Commanding Royal Artillery.
Personnel.
an
The distribution of the personnel is detailed in Chapter II (B). The established number of artillerymen being insufficient to fully man all the guns of the fixed and movable armament, even without any relief or reserve, recourse must be had on emergency to reinforcing, if possible, the batteries on one front by gunners withdrawn from another; and assistance may be afforded by the infantry, some of whom are trained according to the Sections to which they belong, to assist in working heavy guns, or to work the movable armament, including machine-guns.
Page 38
Page 38