CO129-187 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [1-4] — Page 292

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particularly if steps

are taken? as proposed for auquenting the farrison, commensurate to its require. ments. Should Hong Kong be attacked, Every fun Detachment must be furnished from the Regular Troops, as a few hours would probably decide the result ofther action. and each gun should therefore be of maximum efficiency.

It would be better, I think, if He Volunteers in Hong Kong were a Rifle Corps. In this capacity. its members, from their individual sporting tastes and amusements, would be qualified marksuru, and will able to supplement the & defruer of the Colony. Beyond the

actual assistance which would be derived from such a corps, it 'would Exert a moral influxuce by it's practical afficiency, which I hope I may be pardoned in saying I do not think it possesses at present. As a Rifle Corps also they could 's periodically Brigaded with the Regular Troops, and this as an Artillary Corps without guns is at present impossible.

I do not thick the Police Four could be utilized in time of was for local defruch. The European

19.

pet from "The Daily Press 20. ng Kouq. 31 January 1880.

During last year. not only were the changes to which I have adverted made by Her Majesty's Government, but a very eminent gentleman who had called to sen me-Mr. Robert Hart, the head of the Imperial | Customs Service of China, a most trusted and able other of this Emperor of China, and, indeed, one of the most distinguished men in the East- expressed his gratitude for what had been done for the Foochow Arsenal aud for certain works at : Tientsia by the Government schema of education! in this Colony; for he told me that every year young men wore sont from this school to the. Foochow Arsenal, and to other places in China! where the Imperial Chiosas Government have! works and that the young men who had heen tinal here were found most useful in the Avhich placed. "Well, I told M. Hart at it was always agree-" jable for the Governor of the Colony to receive the thanks of any man for what the Government had been doing, but I did not conceal from him my conviction that the young men who were smt to the Foochow Arsenal, or who might. be sout to the Government establishments in Tientsin, ought to be educated, not at the expense of the ratepayers of Houg- koug. nt at the expense of the Government of China; and that, whilst it might be a very laudable undertaking to do something for the four hundred millions of Chinese in this vast empire near us, and that, whilst it might be

population

288

The Police

as compared to the "Chinese bring so very small would have sufficient to do in time of war to preserve order in the town, and to guard theis own particular charges such as the fool, their Barracks, ther Hospital, Ete.

Any that could be spared from these duties, should be placed Entirely under the military, and would be utilized to relieve the Troops from their ordinary sentry duties and thus free theme for Combatant purposes.

ou Edu.

I apprud, as per margin, au Extract from

a speech cation made by H.E. the Sovernor on the 30th ulting. I think ther Chinese goverment would appreci." ate a Chinese Force in Hong Kong |

as they serve to the our

Exactly

Pelene in leyters than rhod Educational system, viz, as a

sohjentionables to cast, the chipone doers

ment as far as the training of them goes, that, nevertheless, it did occur to me that the 140.000 inhabitants

of

Hongkong and something

to say to the question; and that, if a Chineso youth is to spend five or six years in this school, being highly trained under à distinguished head? master and able staff of teachers, after all! it were better for the Colony if that young

man remained in Hongkong and did not pro- ceed to the Foochow Arsonal

means of obtaining for their own use, expericuced officers and men trained at our expruse; and I believe they would welcome with delight, for with delight, for their own purposes. the formation of such

Auxiliary Force, recognizing fully the weak print it would cause in our defences.

Au