CO882-(1-2) — Page 234

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :~~~

PILTIC.O. 882

1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Commissariat De- partment.

page 41.

I

is called on to perform duties of no ordinary description, and which must prove very harassing. This however arises from the system in force, and in my judg- ment is very considerably increased by the presence of what is called "The

are, What the precise duties of these officers Board of Respective Officers." cannot clearly understand; but it appears to me that one of their principal avocations is to recommend what to them may seem fit and necessary for the public service.

The Board consists of-

A Lieutenant-Colonel of Engineers.

A Lieutenant-Colonel of Artillery.

The Ordnance Storekeeper.

The Acting Deputy Storekeeper.

20. In my despatch of 25th January, No. 10, I have suggested that in a mili- tary point of view I cannot conceive it possible that the presence of the two first officers is requisite with a force composed of 1,200 men; and if this opinion be in conformity with that entertained by those more competent to offer one, and there be no other objections, of which I am unaware, I would urgently recom- mend the abolition of this Board altogether. In all boards the responsibility is so much divided, that suggestions involving expense are much more likely to be made by them than by an individual; and there seems no cause why such occasional alterations and additions as may be required, cannot, on their necessity, being brought to the notice of the General or other officer commanding, be sanctioned by him without the intervention of this Board, which cannot, if Mr. St. Hill's statement be correct, and of which there can be no doubt, but materially add to the labour not only of his own but of that of other departments, as far as I am able to judge, without any commensurate advantage being derived.

21. But should the proper authorities not see fit to place this power in the hands of the commanding officer, it might be ordered that no military expenses should be incurred or recommended beyond 1001. without being also approved of by the Governor of the colony.

22. The Ordnance Storekeeper's Establishment is as follows, and amounts annually to £4,165 68. 7d.

1 Storekeeper (first class)

1 Deputy Storekeeper

1 First Clerk

1 Second Clerk

1 Assistant Firemaster

3 Temporary Clerks @ 70 per month each

1 Temporary Clerk @ 60

ditto

1 Foreman of Storehousemen @ 58. 6d. per day

1 Foreman of Magasine

-

ditto

ditto

1 Cooper

2 Storehousemen @ 4. 2d. per day

2 Storehousemen ✪ 5s. per day

1 Painter at 18. 3d. per day

Royal Artillery employed in Magazine

Chinese, as Artificers, Watchmen, Porters, Coolies, &c.

£

d

986 0 0

540

0 D

362

0 0

322 0 0

45 12 6

525 0 0

150 0

0

86 1 6

86 1 G

86

6

156 10 0

130 8 4

19 11 3

100 0 0

620 0 0

£4,165 6 7

23 The expenses of this department amount annually to 1,7851. to which however must be added 500% per annum for offices and stores; and on the Enclosure No. 11, whole I do not consider it susceptible of any material reduction; but from Mr. Assistant-Commissary-General Smith's own showing, I think it is capable of undertaking a very considerable addition to its duties. At present the depart- ment has in its charge provisions to the value of 2,4241. 198. 4d., and the actual Enclosure No. 12. value of the supplies issued during the past year, 1848, amounted only to 7,3351. 4. 8d. and this includes, as will be seen on reference to Enclosure No. 12, every article of consumption ordered by the commissariat, embracing all hospital comforts. The fresh beef and bread provided by Chinese contractors, as also the fire-wood, form a sum of 3,8781. which would leave the actual distribution by the commissariat, of only 3,4571. per annum,

page 44.

24. In explanation of this small expenditure of provisions, it is right, I should again observe, that the European troops amounting to only 600 are supplied with bread and fresh meat by contract, so that with the exception of one day in each week, when salt meat is supplied to them during the six winter

5

months, the commissariat department has indeed in this branch of its duty, but little to do, as the Ceylon Rifles do not draw any rations from the department.

25. Mr. Smith appears to make some difficulty in undertaking the duty of provisioning the navy, and if, as he states, that Hong Kong was the head quarters of the Indian station, and that a large force was always stationed here, his objection might be entitled to consideration; but instead of a line of battle ship, a frigate, three steamers, and five sloops, being ordinarily stationed here, the force intended for Hong Kong as agreed upon between Viscount Palmerston and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty is fixed at one frigate, and a steamer, a force about equivalent to that which Mr. Smith states in the Australian colonies is supplied by the army commissariat under the commissariat regulations; with this precedent before me, I certainly cannot see why a similar plan may not be adopted in this colony.

and

26. It appears also evident that the building used for a commissariat store, is at present unnecessarily large; and so far as I can judge, would hold the extra supplies required for the navy. Should it be found insufficient there would be no difficulty in hiring good and dry warehouses elsewhere.

27. With respect to Mr. Smith's animadversions on the civil department, I have nothing to say, except that he is clearly writing on subjects with which he is not familiar, and with the particulars of which he has not the means of being very intimately acquainted. In his remarks I see he says, that on negotiating bills during the past year, a profit of 2,9491. has been realized. This is no doubt very satisfactory, but whether the rate of exchange is favourable or otherwise, does not depend on him, but on circumstances over which he can possibly have no control. So long as money can be procured for bills under 48. 2d. per dollar, When the exchange is higher than this a saving will accrue to Government. rate the Government will sustain a loss.

28. The Barrack Department stands as follows :-

1 Barrack Master

I Clerk

$50 per mensem

Barrack Depart- ment.

689 15 125 0

0 0

91 1 0

109 2

0

I certainly page 47.

1 Superior Barrack Sergeant

9 Barrack Sergeants

£1,014 18 0

29. The duties this officer has to perform are stated in a memorandum Enclosure No. 13, furnished by the officer at present in charge of the department.

cannot see why the duties should not be transferred to the engineer department

or to an old subaltern officer of the force serving on the island on an allowance of 1001. per annum.

30. The Royal Engineer Department stands as follows:-

ROYAL ENGINEERS.

1 Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding

1 Captain or Brevet Major

1 First Lieutenant

1 First Lieutenant attached to Royal Sappers and Miners ·

ROYAL ENGINEERS CIVIL Department.

2 Clerks of Works, fourth class

378 13 4

1 Foreman of Works, second class

1 Clerk, fourth class

ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS.

2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 2 Second Corporals, and 39 Privates

1 Ofoe Keeper

1 Office Coolia -

2 Watchmen

CHINESE.

Royal Engineer Department

€

&

1,322 10 10

789 10 10

357 8 4

589 0

0

258 0 0 203

6 0

885 17 1

25 0 0

12 10 0

26 0 0

£4,846 15 54

31. From the enclosed statement will be seen the duties which the Enclosure No. 14,

In my page 48. individuals connected with this department are called on to perform. despatch, No. 10, of 25th January, I recommended that certain reductions should be made in this department, from which further experience and observation afford