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pay
pension, and, if so, to what amount; whether a free passage to and from Hong-Kong, with from the date of entertainment until their return to the Punjab, would be guaranteed to them; and whether they would receive clothes, &c., from the Government of Hong-Kong, or whether the cost of clothes would be defrayed from their pay. The Government of India, I am to add, would offer no opposition to the men taking service in Hong-Kong without giving the usual notice before leaving the Indian service.
4. At the same time I am desired to intimate that it would not be for the interest of the Punjabees to accept any service likely to prove precarious, or of short duration : and it would be inconvenient to this Government, to which, of course, the men would look for protection, if they were suddenly left without employment. Some few years ago great discontent and dissatisfaction were caused by the terms and nature of the service not having been properly explained to a body of Punjabees raised for duty in Ceylon. These men refused to work, and it was found necessary to send them all back to India.
5. It may be observed here that Punjabees do not generally make very good Detective Police; but as they turn out good soldiers, they would be tolerably certain to prove good and useful Protective Police in China.
6. In regard to Mr. Creagh, I am desired to intimate, for His Excellency's information, that the Government of India would be unable to allow his service in China to count as service in India, or towards pension; but there would be no objection to the retention of his name in the Police List of the Funjab, to which, if he wished, he might revert within a given time, say two or three years.
P. S.-Since the above was written, His Excellency the Governor General has been informed demi-officially that the Hong-Kong Government is willing to allow a salary equal to Rupees 20 per month to every ordinary Sikh Policeman. His Excellency anticipates that at this rate of pay picked men might be procured in the Punjab for service in Hong-Kong, but he still considers that explanation is requisite upon the other points noticed above, before further steps be taken towards any actual enlistment.
From Major G. Hutchinson, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, to C. V. Creagh Esquire, Assistant District Superintendent of Police, Moultan, No. 395 dated 31st January 1867.
With reference to his letter dated 12th January 1867, forwards copy of No. 104 dated 24th idem, from the Secretary to Government Punjab, Civil Department, with en- closures, and points out that he is thereby authorized to ascertain whether 100 men can be found willing to accept the terms offered by the Hong-Kong Government.
2. He is permitted to make offers to the men in the Force, distinctly informing them that by going to China they forfeit all claim to past service.
3. Ile is specially to observe that, the Supreme Government letter gives no further permission than to ascertain.
4. The Inspector General forwards a copy of his own letter, No. 157 dated 14th January 1867, to Government, and suggests to Mr. Creagh the advisability of offering service to the men on the terms therein indicated.
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From 0. V. Creagh Esquire, Assistant District Superintendent of Police Moolian, to Major G.
Hutchinson, Inspector General of Police Punjab, dated 7th February 1867.
Owing to a slight injury received from a tiger, the other day while out shooting, I was unable ere this to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 31st ultimo, with enclosures.
In
your
letter of 14th January to the Secretary to Government Punjab, I observe that you quote the passage from Hong Kong to Calcutta for natives at 150, (one hundred and fifty) rupees, which although correct as far as regards a passage on board one of the Mail Steamers, might lead to the erroneous impression that a passage is not procurable for a lower
amount.
As the Hong-Kong Government have made arrangements to take the men by the speediest route, I have not enquired as to the charges of passage by sailing vessels, but should think that it cannot exceed sixty rupees. If you would kindly point out this to His Honor the Lieutenant Governor before he forwards his opinion to Calcutta it might obviate future cor- respondence on the subject.
I have no doubt whatever that I can get 100 men from the Police force to accept the terms offered, but I cannot select that number of good men suitable for the service unless I am allowed to visit other districts; and not being entitled to leave I do not know whether the Government would sanction this; but under any circumstances I shall not be able to move about for some days.
From T. II. Thornton Esquire, Secretary to Government Punjab, to Major G. Hutchinson, Inspector General of Police Punjab, No. 184 dated 7th February 1867.
Judicial Department.
With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of enlistment of Punjabees for service in the Hong Kong Police, ending with my No. 104 of the 24th ultimo, I am directed to enclose, for delivery to Mr. Creagh, a letter received from the Colonial Secretary of Hong-Kong, and to state that a draft for Rs. 8,000 has been received by this Government on Mr. Creagh's account, with a request that payments may be made to him out of this sum, as he may require them for the entertainment of men and other outlay connected with his charge.
From Major G. Ilutchinson, Inspector General of Police Punjab, to 0. V. Creagh Esquire, Assistant District Superintendent of Police Punjab, No. 505, dated 8th February 1867.
In continuation of No. 395, dated 31st ultimo, regarding enlistment of recruits for the Hong-Kong Police, forwards copy of No. 184, dated 7th instant, from the Secretary to Government Punjab, Civil Department, intimating that he has received a draft for Rs. 8,000 on Mr. Creagh's account.
The letter from the Colonial Secretary, to his address, is also forwarded.
From Major G. Hutchinson, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, to T. H. Thornton Esquire, Secretary to Government, Punjab, No. 61, dated 11th February 1867.
I have the honor, at the request of Mr. Creagh, to point out that the price of a pas- sage between decks from Calcutta to Hong-Kong mentioned in the 5th para (1) of my letter No. 157 of the 14th January, as costing Rs. 150, is the charge for conveyance by the line of mail steamers. I have no accurate information of the cost of a passage by a sailing vessel, but I imagine it would be considerably lower, and that the Sikhs who returned to India would avail themselves of this cheaper means of transport.
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