OAR Hongkong
21820
697
:
A
Some1 (e.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The total establishment of the Corps is 400 of all ranks. The strength in 1903 was 239, made up as follows:- Staff, 7; 2 Garrison Artillery companies, 203; 1 Engineer Company, 26; and a Band, 3.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $37,965.58.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
Sir HENRY BLAKE, K.C.M.G., left the Colony for Ceylon on the 21st November, and administered the Government from that date until the end of the year. Major-General Sir WILLIAM GASCOIGNE, K.C.M.G., who has commanded the troops for the last five years and who on two occasions (1900 and 1902) administered the Government of the Colony, relinquished his command in September, and was succeeded by Major-General VILLIERS HATTON, C.B.
The figures already given at the beginning of this Report are evidence of the continued prosperity of this Port. The fluctuations of the silver-market and the partial commercial depression arising from the prospect of political disturbances in the Far East, have with other causes contributed to prevent the past year from being marked by special buoyancy of trade or steadiness in the stock market; but there is nothing to indicate that the trade interests and the wealth of this Colony have ceased to expand. But if the port is to preserve its predominant position as a great emporium for shipping, there are many problems which demand early consideration and timely action, such as the increase of the accommodation in the Harbour for ocean-going steamers, the provision of more space for the housing of an ever-increasing population, and the further development of the trade of the West River and its tributaries by the opening of new ports. Overshadowing all these questions, however, is the pressing necessity for the speedy construction of the railway between Hongkong and Canton, for which a concession was granted to a British syndicate years ago by the Chinese Government. The development of railway enterprise in other parts of China has, in the opinion of the Government and the entire commercial community, rendered it of paramount importance to the prosperity of Hongkong that this Colony should be connected by railway with the capital of the Kwangtung Province, which is to be connected by a trunk line with the Yangtse Valley.
I have the honour to be
Sir,
Your most obedient,
Amaz
Officer Administering the Government.
DRAFT.
Hongkong, no 246
Governor Sir M. Nathan
MINUTE.
13/8
Harding, Mr. Collins 13.
Mr. Antrobus,
Mr. Cox.
Mr. Lucas.
Mr. Graham.
Sir M. Ommanney.
The Duke of Marlborough
Mr. Lyttelton.
ca 1768-26
Sie
17
Aug04
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch no 202 of the 12th of May submitting the annual report on the Blue Book for the year 1903.
The report has been presented to Parliament in the usual manner.
I enclose a copy from which you will observe that...
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