My Lord,
Government House
Hong Kong, 20th May, 1886.
With reference to your Lordship's despatch of 8th February last I stated that a Committee of the Executive Council had been appointed by Sir George Bowen to consider
I settled all really difficult questions before my departing on leave as Adjutant. It is indispensable, not indeed I make the Police Corps work smoothly. I would strongly recommend that the staff of the Militia Corps (W. I deprecate) should be a Capt. Superintendent to Hong Kong.
In 1883, I found that most of the Constables did not know how to handle their Carbines, and general Assistant of the Superintendent. Formerly, there was a Civil Superintendent, with £800 a year (the Alsatia of southern China) and allowances. The Colonial Office very properly (in my opinion) directed the abolition of this post.
The Police should be left as it is now; i.e., there should be an Adjutant, with £300 a year, to teach the Constables in the use of their fire-arms. When I went through the drill, I found that most of the Military Officers receiving instructions were not proficient.
It is essential to teach the Constables how to act together against the (sometimes) dangerous mobs of Kowloon, and against the armed bands of Chinese robbers & smugglers we often encountered.
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Right Honourable
Earl Granville K.G.