13
The Siberian route for transmission of mails to Europe has become increasingly popular with residents in Hongkong as well as in China. The Shanghai Agency commenced to forward mails to Europe via Dalny and Harbin on September 3rd. The approximate time occupied in transmission of letters by this route from London to Shanghai was 16 to 18 days, to Tientsin 16 days, Wei-hai-wei 18 days and Hongkong 20 to 23 days.
XI.—MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.
(a.) REGULAR FORCES.
The following return shows the average number and composition of the Forces employed in the Colony during 1908 :-
CORPS EUROPEANS INDIANS CHINESE TOTAL Officers. W O.'s N. C. O.' & Men. Officers. W O.'s N. C. O.'s & Men. N. C. O's & Men. General Staff, 3 5 8 Administrative, Technical, and Departmental Staff, 10 8 18 Garrison Staff,... 5 25 30 Royal Garrison Artillery, 12 231 243 Royal Engineers, 4 54 58 Army Service Corps, 3 29 11 43 Royal Army Medical Corps, 6 32 6 44 Army Ordnance Department and Corps, 2 3 5 Hongkong & Singapore Battalion, Royal Garrison Artillery, 369 393 762 British Infantry, 23 519 542 13th Rajputs, 13 776 789 105th Mahratta Light Infantry, 16 805 821 Indian Medical Service. 12 18 30 Indian Subordinate Medical Department, 10 839 849 Army Pay Department and Corps, 1 2 1 4 Army Chaplains Department, 1 1 Educational Department, 1 1 Total, 50 1,212 41 1,860 51 4,042 6,205(b.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.
The Colony contributed $1,250,168 (being the statutory contribution of 20% of the Revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the Regular Forces in the Colony including Barrack Services and Defence Works.
(c.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The establishment of the Corps is 432 of all ranks. The strength on the 31st December, 1908, was 287 made up as follows:—Staff 7; Troop 35; 4 Artillery Companies 173; Engineer Company 42; Infantry Company 30.
A 16 days camp for the Artillery, Engineers and Infantry was held at Stonecutters' Island in October, 1908, and a 5 days camp for the Troop in the Kam Tin Valley, New Territories, during the Christmas holidays.
The British Cadet Company, started in May, 1906, now numbers 26 boys. A miniature rifle range has been opened and is regularly used. They went into camp on Stonecutters' Island for the 6 days following the period of the Volunteer Camp.
The numbers of the Volunteer Reserve Association decreased from 230 to 196.
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13
The Siberian route for transmission of mails to Europe has become increasingly popular with residents in Hongkong as well as in China. The Shanghai Agency commenced to forward mails to Europe vid Dalny and Harbin on September 3rd. The approximate time occupied in transmission of letters by this route from London to Shanghai was 16 to 18 days, to Tientsin 16 days, Wei-hai-wei 18 days and Hongkong 20 to 23 days.
XI-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.
(a.) REGULAR FORCES.
The following return shows the average number and composition of the Forces employed in the Colony during 1908 :-
CORPS.
General Staff,
Administrative, Technical, and Depart-
mental Staff,
Garrison Staff,...
Royal Garrison Artillery,
Royal Engineers,
Army Service Corps,
Royal Army Medical Corps,
Army Ordnance Department and Corps,.
Hongkong & Singapore Battalion, Royal
Garrison Artillery,
British Infantry,.
13th Rajputs,
105th Mahratta Light Infantry,
Indian Medical Service.
Indian Subordinate Medical Department,
Army Pay Departinent and Corps,
Army Chaplains Department,
Educational Department,
EUROPEANS.
INDIANS.
CHINISE.
TOTAL.
Officers.
W O.'s
N. C. O.'
& Men.
Officers.
W O.'s
N. CO.s
& Men.
N. C. O's
& Men.
00
3
5
0% 10
8
5
25
690
715
12
231
54
297
29
32
43
50
29
3+
11
6
369
393
23
$19
842
13
16
776
805
12
18
809
839
10
2
8
1
1
TO
10
1
Total,
12% 1,860 41
(b.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.
1,959
51
4,042
ཚུ
The Colony contributed $1.250.168 (being the statutory contribution of 20% of the Revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the Regular Forces in the Colony including Barrack Services and Defence Works.
(c.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The establishment of the Corps is 432 of all ranks. The strength on the 31st' December, 1908, was 287 made up as follows:-Staff 7 Troop 35; 4 Artillery Companies 173; Engineer Company 42; Infantry Company 30.
A 16 days camp for the Artillery, Engineers and Infantry was held at Stonecutters' Island in October, 1908, and a 5 days camp for the Troop in the Kamtin Valley, New Territories, during the Christmas holidays.
The British Cadet Company, started in May, 1906, now numbers 26 boys. A miniature rifle range has been opened and is regularly used. They went into camp on Stonecutters' Island for the 6 days following the period of the. Volunteer Camp.
The numbers of the Volunteer Reserve Association decreased from 230 to 19%.
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