CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7] — Page 125

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Forces in the Colonies.

2.

It will be seen from the

¡ enclosed Report of the experienced

"Harbour-Master of HongKong (Captain Thomsett, R.N.), that no local Force of the kind contemplated has hitherto been

organized in this Colony. But it will

be

perecived that the Colonial

possesses six steam-

Government possesses

launches, and a considerable number

of rowing boate, which I am not

be utilized as a

without hope may defence Flotilla, in aid

of Her Majesty's

ships, and of the submarine Mining

Enclosure

Department. With regard to the last. mentioned subject, the late Administrator

of the Government, (M. Marsh) has ---- in his despatch 1.92

already reported 4402 of the 30th January ultimo.

83

Gend

3.

The formation of an

Auxiliary Naval Defence Force is of manifest importance. I believe, moreover, that proper discipline and training would increase the efficiency of

crews

of the

in the

of the Government boats performance of their ordinary civil duties. The great difficulty will, of

course,

be to find competent English

Department

seamen

}

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