No.107.
Hongkong.
Sir,
0.0.
Government House,
Hongkong, 11th March, 1904.
3321
With reference to your Circular Despatch of the 18th November last, I have the honour to inform you that Military stores used by the Hongkong Volunteer Corps are already obtained as a rule from the local Ordnance Department.
Ammunition for the use of the Corps is also obtained from the same source, as the absence of storing accommodation at the Volunteer Headquarters makes it undesirable to obtain it in large consignments from England.
2.
The only other Department requiring stores of the nature to which you refer is the Police Department. I attach a comparative list of prices of the materials which are now obtained through the Crown Agents instead of through the local Ordnance Depot. Some of the articles, besides being more expensive if obtained from the Depot, are not suitable for the requirements of the Police. I concur, therefore, in the opinion of the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police that it is undesirable to make any change in the present system for the sake of the few and unimportant articles that would
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
800.9