PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
hi
Reference :-
C.O. 882
6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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of State asked for their views on the form which the contribution should take, suggesting firmly that a capitation rate on a stated number of soldiers would be the best.
..
The War Office concurred in this view, but said that wing to the evils attendant on the employment of strictly No. 13. local corps it would be better to detach a wing of one of the European regiments stationed at Hong Kong together with a portion of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment (Malays), which for that purpose should be increased; they did not think that this proposal would cost much more than the £63,008) proposed.
The Treasury, however, remained unconvinced, and in ad August, 1864, the War Office were informed that the No. 6 question must be considered as being in abeyance for the present.
No. 21.
In September, 1861, a further memorial from the Straits No. 17. merchants reached the Colonial Office and another was sent in on the 1st February, 1865. The latter particularly uttacked the military expenditure, pointing out that the garrison then consisted of 1,811 men of all ranks, and cost. It exclusive of provisions and transport, £63,400 a year. Suggested the abolition of one native regiment, pointed out that the navy alone could save the ports from bombardment by an enemy, and that all that was required was therefore a free sufficient to maintain internal order and security, and suggested that £24,000 a year could be saved by adopting their proposals.
The Colonial Office raised the question with the War No. 23. Offer once more in February, 1865, and suggested that the troops might be reduced since it is an essential "condition of the transfer that the revenue should be able "to meet its entire expuliture, military as well as civil."
The War Office reply of 11th May, 1865, stated that No. 28. Earl de Grey apprehends that if these Settlements are taken over by the Imperial Government it will not be "with a view to hold them as Imperial Military Stations,
• but in order to meet the often expressed wishes of the "local community. The amount of force to be maintained "in them will therefore be determined by the wants and
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means of the inhabitants, it being a sine qui non condition
" of the consent of the Imperial Government to the transfer "that it is to cast no additional burden on the Imperial
Exchequer."
The War Office referred the question of garrison to a No. 31. Committee, and on the 30th January, 1866, communicated the views of the Secretary of State for War, which were
as follows: —
"He considers that the simplest mode by which this "question can be settled would be that Mr. Cardwell "should state the sum which the Settlements can fairly "be required to pay for their military defence, and that "this department should then determine what force can "be supplied for that sum.
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"It must, however, be clearly understood that the Imperial Government cannot enter into any engagement
"not to increase or to diminish the garrison so fixed, if it
should be found at any time advisable to do so.
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“I am to add that Lord de Grey will be quite ready to engage, on behalf of this Department, with the Treasury "that the cost of the garrison as a charge against the Imperial revenue shall not exceed the sum to be received; "and he thinks that it might fairly be arranged that if in any one year the expenses incurred by the Imperial
No. 32
Noa, 33 ut 34.
No. 35.
N. 36.
"No. 37.
A. 129.
P. 59.
Ibid., p. 76.
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Government were found to fall materially below the Colonial contribution, a corresponding repayment should be made to the local Government."
The Secretary of State replied that £50,000, exclusive of maintenance and repair of barracks and fortifications, would be a fair charge against the Colony.
While this was under consideration the War Office wrote two letters in March, 1866, explaining that, owing to the unhealthiness of the climate of Hong Kong, they were anxious to remove European troops from that station as much as possible: they proposed therefore to station a wing of the Hong Kong European regiment at the Straits Settlements, which, with six companies of Ceylon Rifles and two batteries of Artillery, would cost about £66,200 a But as the wing of the regiment would be available for service in China or Japan, the Secretary of State for War suggested that its cost should be borne by Imperial funds, leaving a total expenditure of £46,200 to be borne by the Colony.
year.
The question was then referred to the Treasury in April for concurrence: but the Treasury replied, pointing out that this estimate included nothing for annual expenses under the heads of Barracks and Hospital Stores, Pensions, and Transport. They reckoned that £59,300 a year would be required and were prepared to agree to that sum for five years, subject to revision afterwards.
and on
The Colonial Office agreed on condition that the Straits Settlements should not have to pay for barrack accommodation for any troops stationed at Singapore for Imperial purposes:
this understanding the necessary legislation was introduced into Parliament.
During the five years during which the agreement lasted there was much correspondence as to the constitution of the garrison, and in July, 1871, the Secretary of State proposed a Committee to settle the question. As the War Office concurred, the Committee was duly appointed and reported in August, with the aid of Sir H. Ord, the Governor, who was then on leave. The report forms Appendix F to the Print A. 129; it proposed to withdraw the native regiment and one battery of Royal Artillery and to augment the existing wing of a British regiment to the full strength of 916 of all ranks, on condition that the Colony raised a force of police and also 150 native artillerymen.
The Committee also considered the question of defences: they thought that Penang and Malacca were scarcely liable to attack, and that Singapore needed only such casual defences as would keep off a raiding attack by cruiser: they therefore recommended the construction of batteries and the provision of torpedo defences in the new harbour channels. But they added :—
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"If, in view of the important position of Singapore in "reference to the command of the highway to China and "Japan, and its consequent value for refitting and coaling "Her Majesty's ships and transports, it be considered "desirable to secure the station against capture, or against "a naval attack of a more serious nature than that hitherto contemplated, it will be necessary to arm with powerful "ordnance the batteries at either entrance to New "Harbour, and to construct a small strong enclosed work "to mount about 10 heavy guns on a central site to support those batteries and to command the harbour." The Committee further stated that the cost of the defences and armaments which they recommended would
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