406
22
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.
(B.) Colonial CONTRIBUTION.
The Colony contributed $961,408.50 (being the statutory contribution of 20 per cent. of revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony and Barrack Services.
(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The total establishment of the Corps is 400 of all ranks. The strength in 1903 was 239, made up as follows: - Staff, 7; two Garrison Artillery Companies, 203; one Engineer Company, 26; and a Band, 3.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $37,965.58.
General OBSERVATIONS.
Sir Henry Blake, K.C.M.G., left the Colony for Ceylon on the 21st November, and I administered the Government from that date until the end of the year. Major-General Sir William Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., who has commanded the troops for the last five years and who on two occasions (1900 and 1902) administered the Government of the Colony, relinquished his command in September, and was succeeded by Major-General Villiers Hatton, C.B.
The figures already given at the beginning of this Report are evidence of the continued prosperity of this port. The fluctuations of the silver market and the partial commercial depression arising from the prospect of political disturbances in the Far East have, with other causes, contributed to prevent the past year from being marked by special buoyancy of trade or steadiness in the stock market; but there is nothing to indicate that the trade interests and the wealth of this Colony have ceased to expand. But if the port is to preserve its predominant position as a great emporium for shipping, there are many problems which demand early consideration and timely action, such as the increase of the accommodation in the harbour for ocean-going steamers, the provision of more space for the housing of an ever-increasing population, and the further development of the trade of the West River and its tributaries by the opening of new ports. Overshadowing all these questions, however, is the pressing necessity for the speedy construction of the railway between Hong Kong and Canton, for which a concession was
406
22
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.
(B.) Colonial CONTRIBUTION.
The Colony contributed $961,408.50 (being the statutory contribution of 20 per cent. of revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony and Barrack Services.
(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The total establishment of the Corps is 400 of all ranks. The stength in 1903 was 239, made up as follows :-Staff, 7 ; two Garrison Artillery Companies, 203; one Engineer Company, 26; and a Band, 3.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $37,965,58.
General OBSERVATIONS.
Sir Henry Blake, K.C.M.G., left the Colony for Ceylon on the 21st November, and I administered the Government from that date until the end of the year. Major-General Sir William Gascoigne, K.C.M.G., who has commanded the troops for the last five years and who on two occasions (1900 and 1902) ad- ministered the Government of the Colony, relinquished his com- maud in September, and was succeeded by Major-General Villiers Hatton, C.B.
The figures already given at the beginning of this Report are evidence of the continued prosperity of this port. The fluctua tions of the silver market and the partial commercial depression arising from the prospect of political disturbances in the Far East have with other causes contributed to prevent the past year from being marked by special buoyancy of trade or steadi- ness in the stock market; but there is nothing to indicate that the trade interests and the wealth of this Colony have ceased to expand. But if the port is to preserve its predominant position as a great emporium for shipping, there are many problems which demand early consideration and timely action, such as the increase of the accommodation in the harbour for ocean-going steamers, the provision of more space for the housing of an ever increasing population, and the further development of the trade of the West River and its tributaries by the opening of new ports. Over-shadowing all these questions, however, is the pressing necessity for the speedy construction of the railway between Hong Kong and Canton, for which a concession was
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.