Enclosure 1.
46
13374
REUD
Ox
RECP 24 JUL 19
The Committee appointed by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government to enquire into the system of interior economy, and the expenditure generally, and give an opinion as to the amount of Capitation Grant and other allowances, if any, which may be necessary to keep the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps in a state of efficiency met on September 13th, 15th, 19th, 21st, and 27th, and examined one witness Corps Quarter Master Sergeant Watling Hong Kong Volunteer Corps, and the books and vouchers in connection with the expenditure of the Corps, as well as the correspondence which had passed between the Commandants of the Corps and the Government on the subjects of supply of practice ammunition and Camp Expenses.
2.
It appeared that the sum of $12,000 had been voted annually since the re-organization of the Corps in 1893.
3.
There was no trace of the number of Volunteers on the muster roll on 1st January 1893; the sum expended in that year was $8,870.83. On 1st January 1894 there were 83 on the roll, the Expenditure being $9,479.62. On 1st January 1895 there were 188 on the roll, the Expenditure being $12,914.66. On 1st January 1896 there were 128 on the roll, the Expenditure being $13,448.93. On 1st January 1897 there were 165 on the roll, the Expenditure being $16,490.79. On 1st January 1898 there were