356
24
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
The Government again contributed a sum of $50,000 to the Relief Fund which was at once organized, while the large sum of $551,238 was raised by public subscription including subscriptions from Chinese abroad. The credit for this fine result is due to the generosity of all sections of the community and to the commendable and efficient exertions of the Tung Wah Hospital.
The Committee appointed to administer the fund worked with great energy in affording immediate relief to the starving population, and measures are under consideration for carrying into effect engineering works which it is hoped will lessen the disastrous results of these periodical inundations.
3. The various relief funds in connection with the war were well supported during the year. It was decided to close the Prince of Wales's Fund on the 31st December, on which date the total sum raised in the Colony and its vicinity was £31,447 4s. 3d.
A committee representative of all sections of the community was constituted, with the title of the War Charities Fund Committee, to receive subscriptions from the public to War Charities in general and to support such charities as may be considered desirable from time to time, any subscriptions specially earmarked for a particular charity being applied as desired.
4. During the year good progress was made with the winding up of enemy firms in the Colony. Dulness of trade and difficulties in bringing forward cargo from enemy steamers which had sought refuge on the outbreak of war in neutral ports imposed inevitable delays.
5. By the end of the year every Briton not physically unfit or specially excused on the ground of the performance of other work for the Colonial Government had joined the local Volunteer Force, the members of which have rendered excellent service in the defence of the Colony. During the year 135 persons, the large majority of whom were resident in the Colony and 63 of whom were members of the Volunteer Corps, left the Colony to join the armies in England. Enlistment for the Special Police Reserve organised under the Special Police Reserve Ordinance No. 27 of 1914 began in February, and the number of members now amounts to over five hundred.
There are four companies, consisting of No. 1 Europeans and Indians, No. 2 Portuguese, Nos. 3 and 4 Chinese. There are also a maxim gun section, a motor bicycle section, a mounted section, and an ambulance corps composed of Chinese. A band has been formed among the Portuguese. The Reserve is under the command of a Deputy Superintendent, Mr. F. C. Jenkin, a barrister-at-law, who had previous experience as a volunteer officer in England. The marked success which has attended the formation of the Reserve is in a great measure due to the close personal attention given by Mr. Jenkin to every detail of the organisation, and to the exceptional tact and firmness with which he has carried out his duties.