heaton hathan
10374
Root 24 JUL 'S
Government House,
44
159.
For drawings.
see also 23177.
Hong Kong,
23rd June, 1899.
2/12
Sir W.H. Bullie Hamilton
Sir,
This was considered by the Colonial Defence Committee at their meeting yesterday.
Just as the fear that the Committee have with the volunteers in their Memorandum No. 195 of 28/10/99, but the present despatch comments on the increase in the Estimate it recommends has already been approved, and that the next annual report, which will show the effect of the larger grant and the new regulations will be prepared in a few months' time, the Committee decided to await that report before dealing further with the subject of the Hong Kong Volunteer organization. In acknowledging the Governor's despatch, it would be well to express satisfaction at the state of the Volunteer movement in the Colony.
Troys
Juh.
22/12
+ Send to your Secti
5 December
Duen Hou for common
24/170
Encl: 1.
29th September, 1898.
Encl: 2.
8th June 1899.
with 5 spare Copies, sent separately.
With reference to the last paragraph of my despatch No.128 of the 31st ultimo, I have the honour to forward a copy of the Report of the Committee appointed last year by Major-General Black to enquire into the constitution and expenditure of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps, together with a copy of the new Regulations made by the Governor in Council, to meet the recommendations of that Committee.
2. The annual vote hitherto assigned in the Estimates to the Corps has been $12,000, but that sum has repeatedly been found inadequate, owing to the expenses of the annual camp and other necessary outlays, and the excess of actual over estimated expenditure has always been regularly voted. The proposed expenditure under the new regulations amounts to $23,566, which is estimated to provide for an establishment of 350 men. I recommend therefore that this sum be inserted in the Estimates for 1900.
3. I have already in despatches pointed out
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.