28%
Extract from the Hongkong Daily Press of the
9th April, 1915.
0.0
£2670
RE 386
MAY 15
Rec
す
THE SPECIAL POLICE RESERVE.
INSPECTED BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR.
The whole battalion of the Special Police Reserve, under Lieut. F. C. Jen- kin, A.S.P., were inspected for the first time by H.E. the Governor in the police compound last evening. The battalion was composed of the British, Portuguese, Chinese and Indian scotions, and after His Excellency, who was accompanied by the Captain Superintendent of Folica (Captain Mcl. Messer), the Hon. Mr. Wei Yuk, C.M.G., the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak and Mr. G. R. Sayer (Private Sec- retary), had inspected the lines, the batta lion was put through several infuntry, movements. His Excellency taking the salute in the March Past. Finally, the platoons were formed np into columns facing the Governor, who then addressed a few remarks to the officere and men.
His Excellency mid that he had already publicly stated in the Legislative Council the great debt the Colony owed to those who came forward to be sworn in as Special Constables at the outbreak of war. Those members of the community did some very hard work indved for the space of fully three months after the out' break of hostilities, and they had proved themselves so useful, so instrumental in roleasing other men for more active work, that he determined to form a Special Police Reserve under Ordinance, and that Was the result. He believed they were the first Colony in the Empire to set the example of establishing an auxi- liary Police Force, and he fully expected to see the example followed in other places. Now what I have seen this afternoon, proceeded His Excellency, has given me a good deal of pleasure. In the first place, we have a very good example of the spirit that animates the whole Empire. We have here Britishers British subjects I should say -comprising men who were probably horn in the British Isles, or some of the dependencies, and are of the British raec. Then we have the Portuguese who are British subjects who, I suppose, were all born in this Colony, also the Indians, and, fourthly, we have the very fine contingent of Chinese who were born here or else- where in the Empire. All these men of four different races have combined together to voluntarily give their gratu- itous services for the maintenance of godd order and for the defence of this Colony.
Well, on behalf of the Colony I beg to thank you.
I would remind you, in the first place, that in normal times, and even when war is waging, the police are ono of the principal pillars of the State. There is no more honourable profession than that of a policeman, I was one my- self once, and always look back with tho greatest pleasure to that period of my career. You have surprised me by the excellent way in which you have done your drill. The marching was really very good indeed, and I know that you must have put in a great deal of bard work to attain such efficiency which you have shown. I have no doubt that in the other departments, your shooting, ete, you have also have made excellent pro Bress,"
The Governor then mentioned that by a special request on the part of certain members of the Chinese com- munity he had allowed some private in- dividuals, headed by Mr. Un Kam Wa, to assist the Government in providing uni- forms for the Chinese contingent. They knew that, as a rule, Special Constables did not wear uniform but merely a dis- tinguishing badge, but there were so many Chinese in the Colony that he could well understand the Chinese members wish to have some distinctive dress. He had cordially accepted the offer, and he was very pleased with the uniform.
It was,
T
of courer, not absolutely necessary that the other contingents should wear uni- : form. As soon as they were efficient less of their time would taken up with drill, but he hoped that when the present war was over they would still remain in the organisation which they had helped to form, "You never know what is be- fore you proceded His Excellency. Troubkous times might fall upon this Colony, and a force like the Special Police Reserve will always be a very valuable asset in the maintenance of order, the rooting out of wrong-doers, and finally, if necessary, in the actual defence of the Colondi Therefore, I hope you will always stick to me, your father and I am proud to be the father of such a healthy and numerous family.' In conclusion, the Governor remarked that he was told that there was a die- position in one of the contingents to form a First Aid section. That was a very ex- cellent idea, and anything he could do to help it forward he would gladly do. He hupell to see them on many future beca sions, and he would say again that on behalf of the Colony he thanked them. He was very proud of them, and he would report to the Sreretary of State what he had seen that afternoon, and how well pleased he was with what he had seen.