1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1904.
(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
21
The total establishment of the Corps is 426 of all ranks. The strength on the 31st December, 1904, was 272, made up as follows: Staff, 8; two Garrison Artillery Companies, 202; one Engineer Company, 32; Band 3; Troop 27.
A small mounted Corps was formed in the latter part of the year under the designation of the Hong Kong Volunteers Troop, for purposes of scouting and to act as orderlies in time of war.
An association called the Hong Kong Volunteer Reserve Association was also formed. Members, who must be over 35 years of age, are required to make themselves proficient in rifle shooting and undertake to enrol themselves under the Volunteer Ordinance in the event of hostilities. The Association numbered ninety-six members at the close of the year.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $44,032.13.
XII—GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The outbreak of war between Russia and Japan on the 8th February was not without effect on the shipping trade of Hong Kong.
The percentage of British to total tonnage entering and clearing, which had fallen continuously from 75 to 59 in the previous ten years, rose to 70 in 1904 owing to causes already given in this report. The war brought in its train various questions, involving recourse to the law courts of the Colony, relating to its effect on charter parties and to the refusal of duty by seamen on the ships carrying contraband. Speculation in blockade running resulted in some heavy losses to the Chinese and there was tightness of money at the end of the year. After the naval action at Chemulpo on the 9th February some Russian wounded were treated in the Hong Kong Hospitals pending removal to Europe and the attention paid to them was duly recognised by the Russian Government. Later 4 officers and 61 men from a Russian torpedo boat destroyer, who had taken refuge at Weihaiwei, were transferred to Hong Kong and arrangements for their maintenance here made in consultation with the Russian Consul.
An attempt was made in the latter half of the year to start the shipment to South Africa viâ Hong Kong of indentured labourers recruited in the Kwang Si and Kwang Tung Provinces on similar conditions as regards terms of engagement and arrangements for transport to those embodied in the Convention for shipment of labourers to South Africa from the Treaty Ports, which was signed in London on the 13th May, 1904. An agreement was made by the Acting Consul General at
21
1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1904.
(C.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
21
The total establishment of the Corps is 426 of all ranks. The strength on the 31st December, 1904, was 272, made up as follows:-Staff, 8; two Garrison Artillery Companies, 202; one Engineer Company, 32; Band 3; Troop 27.
A small mounted Corps was formed in the latter part of the year under the designation of the Hong Kong Volunteers Troop, for purposes of scouting and to act as orderlies in time. of war.
An association called the Hong Kong Volunteer Reserve Association was also formed. Members, who must be over 35 years of age, are required to make themselves proficient in rifle shooting and undertake to enrol themselves under the Volun- teer Ordinance in the event of hostilities. The Association numbered ninety-six members at the close of the year.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne "by the Colony, was $44,032.13.
XII-GENERAL
OBSERVATIONS.
The outbreak of war between Russia and Japan on the 8th February was not without effect on the shipping trade of Hong Kong.
Kong. The percentage of British to total tonnage entering and clearing, which had fallen continuously from 75 to 59 in the previous ten years, rose to 70 in 1904 owing to causes already given in this report. The war brought in its train various questions, involving recourse to the law courts of the Colony, relating to its effect on charter parties and to the refusal of duty by seamen on the ships carrying contraband. Speculation in blockade running resulted in some heavy losses to the Chinese and there was tightness of money at the end of the year. After the naval action at Chemulpo on the 9th Feb- ruary some Russian wounded were treated in the Hong Kong Hospitals pending removal to Europe and the attention paid to them was duly recognised by the Russian Government. Later 4 officers and 61 men from a Russian torpedo boat destroyer, who had taken refuge at Weihaiwei, were trans- ferred to Hong Kong and arrangements for their maintenance here made in consultation with the Russian Consul.
An attempt was made in the latter half of the year to start the shipment to South Africa viâ Hong Kong of indentured labourers recruited in the Kwang Si and Kwang Tung Provinces on similar conditions as regards terms of engagement and arrangements for transport to those embodied in the Convention for shipment of labourers to South Africa from the Treaty Ports, which was signed in London on the 13th May, 1904. An agreement was made by the Acting Consul General at
21
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