CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8] — Page 538

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(d). I suggested above, in discussing the possibility

of restricting the territory to the island and a small district of the mainland, that the present arrangement, by which an Auditor is sent periodically from Hongkong might be abandoned and the audit of the accounts placed in the hands of the Naval Paymaster on the island. I submit that

this would in any case be a reasonable course to adopt. The

present system is expensive owing to the necessity of provid

-ing passages for the Auditor to and from Weihaiwei, in

addition to being inconvenient to the Government of Hongkong,

By the adoption of the course which I recommend a saving of

perhaps 800 could be effected.

(e). The Island Inspector might be abolished and his

duties be performed by a Sergeant of Marines or Naval Petty

Officer, for whom an allowance of £100 a year in addition

to his Navel pay would probably be sufficient. This would entail a saving of £200 in selery and £16, 10s, in fuel

allowance.

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(f). If a small detachment of troops is stationed,

at present, in Port Edward, it might be possible, without

serious risk to the maintenance of order, to reduce the number of Police in the villages. The acting Commissioner estimates that by cutting them down to a minimum the expend- iture on the force could be diminished by about £9,500.

I doubt, however, whether this would be a wise economy. Apart from the question of internal disorder, there is always a risk of raids of gang-robbers from across the border, against which troops in Port Edward would not afford the same protection as Police in the villages. Certainly no reduction should be made without careful

consideration.

The acting Commissioner has suggested to me

a possible alternative. The villagers would, it is believed, be willing to pay for police protection rather than have the police withdrawn. They would doubtless demur

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