CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3] — Page 442

4.

427

of Hongthing

I believe that after that date representations

of the inadequacy of the Garrison

ms were made

from time to time, but it will be sufficient if

I state that at present the population has

increased tie

fold

over the amount above-

quoted, the last Census showing it at 123,000.

while ou

jurisdiction is spread over a larger space, the City of Victoria having been enormously extended, and Kowloon and Stone Cutters Island

added to Honghong by the last Treaty with the Government of China..

To meet the naturally Strength of garrison by last state 1,704

on Command at Canton and Japan-

Prisoners per

increased demand for protection and supervision I find the~

Garrison in the last wee

Return

given

weekly

Sick. 80.

at only 1,636,

5

1.657

1600

including

sick and men of all Corps and ranks. I think the above statement will show

the inadequacy of

the

Garrison

on at the present

time.

It

be will also to note the may-be

following facts connected with the Militar

Garl Guard:

From the Commencement of

the Colony up to the

announcement of the

Rusion War (18th May 1854) a military

Guard was alw

It

was

always furnished to Victoria Gaol.

then, as will be readily understood;

with drawn, but was

November 1856 when.

replaced

on

the

9

an recent troubles with

the Chinese Government began - subsequently

the

Expeditionary Force having been diverted to India, and the small Garrison here recupied not only with the Colony but in the Canton