[ { "id": 224569, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 475, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "8\n\nREPORT ON\n\nto attend parade; out of 100 men there are sometimes not more than 15 or 16 men fit for active duty. The Royal Artillery (the finest military corps in the world), out of 135 men and officers, lost in two years 51 by death (of whom 35 died at Hong Kong during the last six months of 1843) and 45 by invaliding. That Hong Kong was the cause of their death will be seen from the fact, that Colonel Knowles' detachment of Royal Artillery went through the whole of the war at Canton and in the Yang-tze-kiang river; the detachment was out here three years, it never landed at Hong Kong; one man was killed, another died of dropsy, but the whole of the remainder of the detachment returned to England, except the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Knowles, who landed at Hong Kong, and died of fever.\n\nThe officers of the Royal Artillery died in the same proportion as the men: out of nine officers who came out with the original detachment, but one escaped disease or death. Last year there were several losses in the ships of war. Her Majesty's ship \"Agincourt\" lost during the sickly season of 1843 60 men, of whom 20 were marines; 40 men were invalided home, of whom few would recover. Since leaving England in May, 1842, the \"Agincourt\" has been obliged to enter 160 seamen from merchant ships. The cause assigned for the severe illness of the marines and seamen of last year was the being obliged to land guards to protect stores at West Point. This year the \"Agincourt\" sends no men on shore or on night duty; and out of 600 men, there are only 23, including slight hurts, on the sick list—a fact which tests the insalubrity of the shore.\n\nSTATIONS.\n\nFevers.\n\nABSTRACT, &c.—(continued).\n\nDeaths per Annum.\n\nPulmonie Affections.\n\nTotal Deaths per annum.\n\nOther Diseases.\n\nDysentery.\n\nCholera.\n\nDropsical ditto.\n\nDiarrhoea.\n\nRheumatism.\n\nHepatites.\n\nDischarged per ann.\n\nTransferred per ann.\n\nOn Sick Leave per ann.\n\n1843. Received 31st Dec.\n\nRates per ann. of Sick to Strength.\n\nRates per ann. of Deaths to Strength.\n\n \n Hong Kong\n -\n 155\n 301\n 37\n 0\n 5\n 13\n 19\n 427\n 140\n \n \n Chusan\n -\n \n 11\n 22\n \n \n 34\n 1\n 69\n 69\n 32\n \n \n Koolungsoo\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2\n 201\n 6\n 4\n \n \n \n \n 233\n 82\n 323\n 459\n 587\n \n 13\n 833\n 38\n 108\n 607\n 3-42\n \n \n \n \n 82\n 269\n 9\n 6\n \n 72\n 380\n 5.1\n (1 in 3) nearly.\n \n 36\n 133\n 2.22\n 1 in 9}\n \n \n \n \n 0\n 94\n 2.9\n 1 in 12}\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n TOTAL\n 200\n 106\n 143\n 21\n 8\n 23\n 323\n 459\n 587\n 13\n 833\n 38\n 108\n 607\n 3-42\n \n \n \n 73\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nMr. Keith Stewart Mackensie, Military Secretary to the Commander-in-chief, says in his \"Narrative of the Second Campaign in China,\" published in London, April, 1842, that when he was at Hong Kong, \"there were as many as 1100 men in hospital; and in the 37th Madras Regiment of 560 men, only 50 were fit for duty. Many men and officers were obliged to be invalided.\"\n\nHONG KONG,\n\n9\n\nThe deaths in the naval force at Hong Kong and Whampoa for the six sickly months ending October, 1843, were four per cent., while for the same period on shore the deaths among the troops averaged twenty-four per cent.; and even among the European civilians the estimate was ten per cent.*\n\nIn May, 1843, the left wing of Her Majesty's 55th Regiment had 16 officers and 490 men in Hong Kong; from thence to November, 2 officers and 218 men died, and the lives of the remainder were only saved by the prompt, judicious, and humane conduct of General D'Aguilar in immediately embarking the men for England.\n\nThe mortality as yet (July 17) during the present year has not been so great, but the sickness is equally destructive of the efficiency of the troops. Chue Chew, on the south side of Hong Kong, it was hoped would be a healthy station. On the 30th June, 1844, out of 400 men of Her Majesty's 98th Regiment at Chuc Chew, there were 109 in hospital; out of 80 lascars at the same station, there were 30 in hospital†.\n\nIt was supposed that Saiwan, on the south-east side of Hong Kong, would afford a healthy station for the troops: Government expended about 30,000 dollars in preparing and building a fine set of barracks, of two stories, with every view to comfort and health. The officer of the Royal Engineers having reported the barracks habitable, the General Commanding sent a medical board to examine the building and station. The board reported that the station at Saiwan appeared healthy, that there was no apparent cause for disease, and that it was eligible for troops. The General resolved to begin with a small detachment, and twenty Europeans were sent to Saiwan. No sentry was to be mounted during the day, and but one at night. In five weeks five of the soldiers were dead, three more were in a dangerous state, and four were convalescent; one European woman and child were also dangerously ill.\n\n* Captain White, of the \"Omega,\" enumerated to me the following, among his own acquaintance in a brief period :-Captain McCarthy, æt. 36. Never previously ill. Sailor; Captain of ship,—Captain Morgan, Captain of ship.—Mr. Hy. Pybus, æt. 32. Strong healthy man.—Messrs. Elsworthy, Dyer, and Scott, æt. about 24. Healthy men.—Mr. Mercer, merchant. Mr. Langer, architect.—Two Mr. Hights, brothers. One Captain of ship, and the other merchant. Both young men. Mr. Cropper, merchant.—Mr. Stevenson, builder. Had been five years resident in Sierra Leone, and three years in New Orleans. Mr. McEwen, general dealer.—Mr. Disant, æt. 37. Long resident in India.—Fully one-third of those he knew in Hong Kong, intimately, during the first eighteen months, died in Hong Kong.\n\nDuring the year 1845, Chuc Chew—which is almost entirely composed of rotten granite—proved as unhealthy as Victoria. By the last accounts Her Majesty's 18th were dying there rapidly; but every effort is made to suppress such information by those who wish to maintain the delusion at home. The Overland \"Friend of China\" of the 31st December, 1845, states, that the mortality of the 18th Royal Irish, from the 1st March to December, 1845, at Chuc Chew, has been \"nearly twenty-three per cent. The whole of the Europeans have now been removed from this wretched and useless spot, and placed on board the ship 'Sir R. Sale,' in the harbour of Hong Kong, on the Chinese shore; but,\" adds the journal, \"there has been no improvement from the change, and it is probable they will sail for England.\" This very regiment did not lose three per cent. per annum last year at Chusan; now they are almost entirely unfit for immediate active service.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 225336, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-020 - Sir John Davis - 1847 [5-8]", "page_number": 214, "title": "CO129-020 - Sir John Davis - 1847 [5-8]", "content_text": "To\n\n208\n\nProceedings of a Board of Officers\n\nthe 16th June, 1847, by order\n\nassembled\n\non\n\nof Lieutenant-Colonel Phillpotts, Commanding Royal Engineer,\n\ndated 13th June 1847, to examine and report upon the state of the Bridge\n\nover the stream\n\nin the Wongnei-ching Valley.\n\nPresident\n\nCaptain & M. Durnford, Royal Engineers.\n\nMembers.\n\nClash of Works, George Olliver Royal Engineer Officer of Works, W. Burgoyne Department.\n\nThe Board having\n\nhaving met at the\n\nWooden Bridge\n\nover the stream in the\n\nWong nei chung Valley, in pursuance of the order above quoted, a letter from the Assistant Military Secretary, to Lieut.-Colonel Phillpotts,\n\ninclosing\n\none N. 171 dated 14th June 1847,\n\nLieutenant-Colonel Phillpotts,\n\n&c,\n\n&c,\n\n&c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-020 - Sir John Davis - 1847 [5-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 226988, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "page_number": 12, "title": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "content_text": "of\n\nDale\n\nof\n\nDerby: Despatch\n\nSubject of Despatch\n\nDespatches to. 8. 13.\n\n13th of December. 1847.\n\n33 069 262. Imposing his intended\n\n3.4\n\n\"\n\n35\n\ndespatch for England by the Mail. Stating\n\nwhich is to leave. Hoping\n\nin March next.\n\nMercurial\n\nTransmitting a\n\nfrom the European and Chinese Inhabitants,\n\nthe subject of Ground Rent\n\nin\n\nHong Kong, and Reporting thereon.\n\nTransmitting Statement of Court-\n\nrelative to the execution\n\non\n\nWrits of Capias, or persons out of Hong Kong.\n\n36. Feb: 3d | Recommending resumption by\n\n37\n\n\"\n\nGovernment\n\nof certain improved Lots of Land\n\nbelonging\n\nto Messrs. B. B. Widdrington\n\nand\n\nReporting salary and fees allowed\n\nto\n\nMr. Clementi, Treasurer.\n\nNov:\n\nhave\n\nOne\n\n2.\n\nCriminal\n\nHome\n\nof\n\n15 Nov:\n\n1848.\n\nSubject of Despatch. 11\n\n30 Nov: Reporting allowance of\n\n13th\n\n£100 to\n\nMr. Miles, of the Colonial Treasury, to defray\n\nhis\n\npassage to England.\n\nsoliciting His Lordship's sanction to this grant.\n\n+\n\nTransmitting Report\n\nand\n\nEstimate by Lt: Colonel Phillpotts, Commanding Royal Engineers, for levelling the site of the proposed Government House, creating\n\nStables, and Service Rooms\n\nfor Government Offices\n\nReporting addition of £30 per annum to the salary of\n\nMr.\n\nMotrovanek of the Colonial Treasury,\n\nsuggesting\n\n£500\n\nby discontinuing\n\nthe employment of the Royal\n\nEngineer for future\n\nCivil Public Works.\n\nReferring to His Lordship's\n\nDespatch No. 28 of\n\nSeptember, 1846, and transmitting\n\nDetailed", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228151, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "page_number": 455, "title": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "content_text": "Appendix.\n\nReport on the\n\nIsland of Hong Kong.\n\nThe Royal Artillery, the finest military corps in the world, out of 135 men and officers lost in two years, 51 by death (of whom 35 died at Hong Kong during the last six months of 1843), and 45 by invaliding. That Hong Kong was the cause of their death will be seen from the fact, that Colonel Knowles's detachment of the Royal Artillery went through the whole of the war at Canton and at the Yang-tzi-kang river; the detachment was out here three years; it never landed at Hong Kong. One man was killed, another died of dropsy; but the whole of the remainder of the detachment returned to England, except the commanding officer, Lieutenant-colonel Knowles, who landed at Hong Kong, and died of fever.\n\nThe officers of the Royal Artillery died in the same proportion as the men; out of nine officers who came out with the original detachment, but one escaped disease or death.\n\nLast year there were severe losses in the ships of war. Her Majesty's ship \"Agincourt\" lost, during the sickly season of 1843, 60 men, of whom 20 were marines; 40 men were invalided home, of whom few would recover. Since leaving England in May 1842, the \"Agincourt\" has been obliged to enter 160 seamen from merchant ships. The cause assigned for the severe illness of the marines and seamen of last year was the being obliged to land guards to protect stores at West Point. This year the \"Agincourt\" sends no men on shore or on night duty; and out of 600 men, there are only 23, including slight hurts, in the sick list. This fact tests the insalubrity of the shore.\n\nThe deaths in the naval force at Hong Kong and Whampoa, for the six sickly months ending October 1843, were 4 per cent.; while for the same period on shore, the deaths among the troops averaged 24 per cent.; and even among the European civilians, the estimate was 10 per cent. In May 1843, the left wing of Her Majesty's 55th Regiment had 16 officers and 491 men in Hong Kong. From thence to November, two officers and 218 men died; and the lives of the remainder were only saved by the prompt, judicious, and humane conduct of General D'Aguilar, in immediately embarking the men for England. The mortality as yet (July 17), during the present year has not been so great; but sickness is equally destructive of the efficiency of the troops. Chuck Chew, on the south side of Hong Kong, it was hoped, would be a healthy station.\n\nOn 30 June 1844, out of 400 men of Her Majesty's 98th, at Chuck Chew, there were 109 in hospital; out of 80 Lascars at the same station, there were 30 in hospital.\n\nIt was supposed that Saiwan, on the south-east side of Hong Kong, would afford a healthy station for the troops. Government expended about 30,000 dollars in preparing and building a fine set of barracks of two stories, with every view to comfort and health. The officer of the Royal Engineers having reported the barracks habitable, the General commanding sent a Medical Board to examine the building and station. The Board reported that the station at Saiwan appeared healthy; that there was no apparent cause for disease, and that it was eligible for troops. The General resolved to begin with a small detachment, and 20 Europeans were sent to Saiwan. No sentry was to be mounted during the day, and but one at night.\n\nIn five weeks, five of the soldiers were dead; three more were in a dangerous state, and four were convalescent; one European woman and child were also dangerously ill.\n\nThe remaining men were withdrawn, and a small detachment of native troops are now (17 July 1844) being sent thither, in order to ascertain whether the climate will suit them. On the 17th July 1844, only four men out of the 20 Europeans were reported fit for duty.\n\nThe returns made to the Army and Naval Medical Boards will furnish full information on the sufferings of the soldiers and sailors in Her Majesty's service in this colony.\n\nThe Indian troops bear the insalubrity of the climate worse than the Europeans. In the cantonments at the west end of Victoria, the 39th Madras Native Infantry and 37th Madras Native Infantry lost nearly half their men in 1842. 4th Regiment Madras Native Infantry landed at Hong Kong 450 men in perfect health, and 53 sick, after a long voyage. There have been already many deaths in the cantonments at the east end of Victoria, and in June 1844 there were 160 men sick, and the list was daily increasing. From 15th April to 2d July 1844 there died at Hong Kong, out of the small force here, 52 Europeans and 42 native soldiers.\n\nGeneral D'Aguilar says that the maintenance of an European garrison at Hong Kong would cost the Crown one regiment every three years. Estimating each soldier as having cost Government 100l., this would be a severe economical loss, and worthy the consideration of those who will not reflect on the humanity of the subject. To keep 700 effective firelocks in Hong Kong it is necessary to maintain 1,400 men!\n\nHong Kong is not less fatal to the Chinese, of whom there are, on an average, about 600 sick and dying monthly. Dr. Gutzlaff says, \"Of 100 coolies, with whom I was acquainted, there died, between 20th May and 15th June 1844, 10 men, whilst 30 left the place diseased.\"\n\nI understand that the whole of these 100 strong men from the north-east coast were obliged to leave the colony from sickness. There is no large town or extensive population on the mainland of China adjacent to Hong Kong; which indicates the native opinion of this part of China.\n\nDr. Gutzlaff says, \"Many Chinese have fallen victims in Hong Kong from a malignant fever, which not only deranges the whole system, but hastens the death of the patient.\" He adds: \"There exists amongst the doctors not one dissentient voice about the fatal tendency of diseases contracted here.\"\n\nNor is it during only one period of the year that the island is unhealthy; in the cold season there are agues, low continued fever, diarrhea, pulmonary complaints, dropsy, rheumatism, and various other diseases arising from general debility of the system, and the poisoned atmosphere. On 25th August 1843 the Surveyor-general of the colony reported to Government that \"the number of interments had been so great (in the European grave yard) that the enclosure was almost quite full, and the hill behind so rocky that it was impossible to dig into it, therefore ere long it would be necessary to provide another place.\" The Surveyor-general further stated, \"It would be a difficult thing to select another grave yard, on account of the rocky and uneven nature of the island.\"\n\nLet it be not said that the dreadful mortality and sickness of Hong Kong is the result of the newness of the colony, and that all young settlements suffer proportionally.\n\nThe assertion, if made, is at variance with fact. New colonies, even in the tropics, have not been originally unhealthy. When the West India islands were first colonized, they were perfectly healthy, as is proved by the large European population who resorted thither and remained there many years. Calcutta and Bombay are reported to have been formerly much healthier than they are at present; the Australian colonies were perfectly healthy when founded; so also the Mauritius and St. Helena; I cannot name a single colony that was originally unhealthy, and that subsequently became salubrious. Soldiers, sailors, and civilians; Europeans and natives, women as well as men, residing in every part of Hong Kong, have fallen victims to the climate, and at all seasons of the year.\n\nAn extensive study of the subject, and no inconsiderable experience in different climates, induces me to concur in the opinion of Dr. Thompson, the respected head of the medical department of Hong Kong, that the island never will be healthy. Its geological character, the immense quantity of rain, and the circumvallation of hills surrounding the town and island, render it a hotbed of disease which may be more mitigated one year than another, but which will ever and anon recur with increased violence. No drainage can obviate this destructive miasm; independent of new roads or buildings, the rain will every year keep the surface continually saturated with moisture, and also uncover large portions of the hills, washing the putrifying substance down the deep ravines towards the sea, thus generating a fruitful crop of disease.\n\nWe shall have to consider in a subsequent part of this Report, whether the objects sought or to be obtained by the possession of Hong Kong are worth the dreadful sacrifice of life which the maintenance of the present establishments entail.\n\nPopulation and Progress.-Hong Kong was \"ceded to the British Crown under the seal of the Imperial Minister and High Commissioner Keshen,\" in January 1841.-See Captain Elliot's proclamation, dated Hong Kong, 29th January 1841, promising \"full security and protection to all British subjects and foreigners, residing in or resorting to the island, so long as they shall continue to conform to the authority of H. M. Government, hereby duly constituted and proclaimed in and over Hong Kong,\" &c. By the same proclamation natives of China were invited to settle in the island by promising them that they should be \"governed according to the laws and customs of China, every description of torture excepted.\" And by another proclamation, dated Hong Kong, 1841, issued by Sir Gordon Bremer, Commander-in-chief, and Captain Elliot, H. M. Plenipotentiary, it is declared, that \"the island of Hong Kong has now become a part of the dominions of the Queen of England by clear public agreement between the high officer of the Celestial and British Courts, and the Chinese are hereby promised protection in Her Majesty's gracious name against all enemies whatever; and they are further secured in the free exercise of their religious rites, ceremonies, and social customs, and in the enjoyment of their lawful private property and interests.\" Chinese ships and merchants resorting to the port of Hong Kong for purposes of trade are exempt, in the name of the Queen of England, from charge or duty of any kind to the British Government. The remainder of the proclamation consists of further inducements for the Chinese to settle in and trade with Hong Kong.\n\nA form of Government was organized; a chief magistrate, and a harbour master, &c. were appointed; 50 lots of land were sold, in June 1841, to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Dent & Co., MacVicar & Co., Fox, Rawson & Co., Turner & Co., Lindsay & Co., and various other persons, the annual rental of which amounted to 3,224l. Each lot was required to have a building erected within six months, of the appraised value of 1,000 dollars; and a deposit of 500 dollars was required to be lodged with the treasurer as a security for the performance of this engagement. Building commenced with great spirit; the Government spent very large sums of money on the island, and the harbour was filled with ships of war and transports.\n\nThe island has now had a fair trial of more than 34 years; we shall inquire what progress it has made in population,\n\nOn taking possession of Hong Kong it was found to contain about 7,500 inhabitants, scattered over 20 fishing hamlets and villages. The requirements of the fleet and troops, the demands for labourers to make roads and houses, and the servants of Europeans, increased the number of inhabitants, and in March 1842 they were numbered at 12,361. In April 1844 the number of Chinese on the island is computed at 19,000; of whom not more than 1,000 are women and children. In the census are included 97 women, slaves, and the females attendant on 31 brothels, eight gaming houses, and 20 opium shops, &c. It is literally", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228369, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3]", "page_number": 97, "title": "CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3]", "content_text": "No 10 of 1879.\n\nInclosure to 2 in. Despi\n\n3744\n\n1848.\n\nCasualties\n\nits ence\n\nlast Week\n\nDuplicate\n\nWeekly state of the Troops\n\nSeroney.\n\nHongkong.\n\nthe Island of\n\n45th Regiment. Two Privates left sick at Pylou - 2 died on Passage to England.\n\nCeylon Rifles. Five Privates died - discharged a...\n\nAlterations.\n\nat that home.\n\nRoyal Artillery, One Lieut: to 2nd Captain, One Sergeant to Bombardier, Royal Sappers and Miners, One Lieut. joined from England.\n\n95th Regiment. - One Private to Drum Major\n\nCeylon Rifles, One Lieut. 2 Officers sent to Hongkong: 4 Lieuts: 438 Privates to Stanley.\n\nCa Captain, One Officer, 2 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 434 Privates, to Stonecutters.\n\nSchedule A\n\nMilitary establishment Hongkong\n\nPresent Force\n\nRoyal Artillery Officers.\n\n1 Lieut Colonel\n\n1 Captain, 2nd Captain.\n\n3 Lieutenants\n\n1 Assistant Surgeon\n\n2 Non-Commissioned Officers\n\n4 Privates\n\n1 Sergeant, 3 Bombardiers, 4 Corporals, 4 Bombardiers, 50 Gunners, 1 Trumpeter = Gun Lasars.\n\n1 Jemedar, 2 Havildars, 80 Privates, 1 Bugler\n\nRoyal Engineers Officers\n\n1 Lieut Colonel Commanding\n\nProposed Force\n\nRoyal Artillery Officers\n\n1 Captain\n\n2 Lieutenants.\n\n1 Assistant Surgeon.\n\n6 Non-Commissioned Officers\n\n50 Gunners, 1 Trumpeter\n\nThe Lasars\n\n1 Jemedar, 3 Havildars, 80 Privates, and 1 Bugler\n\nRoyal Engineers Officers.\n\n1 Captain.\n\n1 Lieutenant.\n\nSick\n\nLast Week.\n\nGun Lasars.\n\nRoyal Artillery.\n\n1 Captain\n\nRoyal Sappers Miners\n\n1 Second Captain\n\n48th Regiment.\n\nCeylon Rifles & Stonecutters\n\nTotal.\n\nDeduct\n\nIncrease\n\n3.\n\n1 attached to Sappers.\n\nCarried forward\n\n...\n\nPage 374\n\n...\n\n...\n\nCarried forward\n\n5,387 4\n\n3,652 52\n\n...\n\nPage 375", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-028 - Bonham - 1849 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228819, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "page_number": 135, "title": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "content_text": "122\n\n4\n\nis called on to perform duties of no ordinary description, and which must prove very harassing. This however arises from the system in force, and in my judgment is very considerably increased by the presence of what is called \"The Board of Respective Officers.\" What the precise duties of these officers are, cannot clearly understand; but it appears to me that one of their principal avocations is to recommend what to them may seem fit and necessary for the public service.\n\nThe Board consists of—\n\nA Lieutenant-Colonel of Engineers.\n\nA Lieutenant-Colonel of Artillery. The Ordnance Storekeeper.\n\nThe Acting Deputy Storekeeper.\n\n20. In my despatch of 25th January, No. 10, I have suggested that in a military point of view I cannot conceive it possible that the presence of the two first officers is requisite with a force composed of 1,200 men; and if this opinion be in conformity with that entertained by those more competent to offer one, and there be no other objections, of which I am unaware, I would urgently recommend the abolition of this Board altogether. In all boards the responsibility is so much divided, that suggestions involving expense are much more likely to be made by them than by an individual; and there seems no cause why such occasional alterations and additions as may be required, cannot, on their necessity, being brought to the notice of the General or other officer commanding, be sanctioned by him without the intervention of this Board, which cannot, if Mr. St. Hill's statement be correct, and of which there can be no doubt, but materially add to the labour not only of his own but of that of other departments, as far as I am able to judge, without any commensurate advantage being derived.\n\n21. But should the proper authorities not see fit to place this power in the hands of the commanding officer, it might be ordered that no military expenses should be incurred or recommended beyond £100 without being also approved of by the Governor of the colony.\n\n22. The Ordnance Storekeeper's Establishment is as follows, and amounts annually to £4,165 6s. 7d.\n\n \n 1 Storekeeper. (first class)\n £\n s.\n d.\n 936\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 1 Deputy Storekeeper\n \n \n \n 540\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 1 First Clerk\n \n \n \n 362\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 1 Second Clerk\n \n \n \n 322\n 0\n 0\n \n \n I Assistant Firemaster\n \n \n \n 45\n 12\n 6\n \n\n23 The expenses of this department amount annually to £1,785, to which must be added £500 per annum for offices and stores; and on the whole I do not consider it susceptible of any material reduction; but from Mr. Assistant-Commissary-General Smith's own showing, I think it is capable of undertaking a very considerable addition to its duties. At present the department has in its charge provisions to the value of £2,424 19s 4d., and the actual value of the supplies issued during the past year, 1848, amounted only to £7,335 4s. 8d. and this includes, as will be seen on reference to Enclosure No. 12, every article of consumption ordered by the commissariat, embracing all hospital comforts. The fresh beef and bread provided by Chinese contractors, as also the fire-wood, form a sum of £3,878, which would leave the actual distribution by the commissariat, of only £3,457 per annum.\n\nPage 41.\n\n24. In explanation of this small expenditure of provisions, it is right, I should again observe, that the European troops amounting to only 600 are supplied with bread and fresh meat by contract, so that with the exception of one day in each week, when salt meat is supplied to them during the six winter months, the commissariat department has indeed in this branch of its duty, but little to do, as the Ceylon Rifles do not draw any rations from the department.\n\n25. Mr. Smith appears to make some difficulty in undertaking the duty of provisioning the navy, and if, as he states, that Hong Kong was the headquarters of the Indian station, and that a large force was always stationed here, his objection might be entitled to consideration; but instead of a line of battle ship, a frigate, three steamers, and five sloops, being ordinarily stationed here, the force intended for Hong Kong as agreed upon between Viscount Palmerston and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty is fixed at one frigate, and a steamer, a force about equivalent to that which Mr. Smith states in the Australian colonies is supplied by the army commissariat under the commissariat regulations; and with this precedent before me, I certainly cannot see why a similar plan may not be adopted in this colony.\n\n26. It appears also evident that the building used for a commissariat store, is at present unnecessarily large; and so far as I can judge, would hold the extra supplies required for the navy. Should it be found insufficient there would be no difficulty in hiring good and dry warehouses elsewhere.\n\n27. With respect to Mr. Smith's animadversions on the civil department, I have nothing to say, except that he is clearly writing on subjects with which he is not familiar, and with the particulars of which he has not the means of being very intimately acquainted. In his remarks I see he says, that on negotiating bills during the past year, a profit of £2,949 has been realized. This is no doubt very satisfactory, but whether the rate of exchange is favourable or otherwise, does not depend on him, but on circumstances over which he can possibly have no control. So long as money can be procured for bills under 4s. 2d. per dollar, a saving will accrue to Government. When the exchange is higher than this rate the Government will sustain a loss.\n\n28. The Barrack Department stands as follows:-\n\n \n 1 Barrack Master\n £\n s.\n d.\n 689\n 15\n 0\n \n \n I Clerk @ £50 per mensem\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1 Superior Barrack Sergeant\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2 Barrack Sergeants\n \n \n \n 525\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 3 Temporary Clerks @ £60\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ditto\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1 Temporary Clerk @ £70 per month each\n \n \n \n 150\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 1 Foreman of Storehousemen @ 5s. 6d. per day\n \n \n \n 86\n 1\n 6\n \n \n 1 Foreman of Magazine\n \n \n \n 86\n 1\n 6\n \n \n 1 Cooper\n \n \n \n 86\n 1\n 6\n \n \n 2 Storehousemen @ 5s. per day\n \n \n \n 156\n 10\n 0\n \n \n 2 Storehousemen @ 4s. 2d. per day\n \n \n \n 130\n 8\n 4\n \n \n 1 Painter at £13. 3d. per day\n \n \n \n 19\n 11\n 3\n \n \n Royal Artillery employed in Magazine\n \n \n \n 100\n 0\n 0\n \n \n Chinese, as Artificers, Watchmen, Porters, Coolies, &c.\n \n \n \n 620\n 0\n 0\n \n \n \n \n \n \n £1,014\n 18\n 0\n \n\nPage 44.\n\n29. The duties this officer has to perform are stated in a memorandum furnished by the officer at present in charge of the department. I certainly cannot see why the duties should not be transferred to the engineer department or to an old subaltern officer of the force serving on the island on an allowance of £100 per annum.\n\nPage 47.\n\n30. The Royal Engineer Department stands as follows:-\n\n \n ROYAL ENGINEERS.\n £\n s.\n d.\n \n \n 1. Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding\n 1,322\n 10\n 10\n \n \n 1 Captain or Brevet Major\n 789\n 10\n 10\n \n \n 1 First Lieutenant\n 357\n 8\n 4\n \n \n 1 First Lieutenant attached to Royal Sappers and Miners\n 378\n 13\n 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ROYAL ENGINEERS CIVIL DEPARTMENT.\n \n \n \n \n \n 2 Clerks of Works, fourth class\n 589\n 0\n 0\n \n \n I Foreman of Works, second class\n 258\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 1 Clerk, fourth class\n 203\n 5\n 0\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS.\n \n \n \n \n \n 2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 2 Second Corporals, and 39 Privates\n 885\n 17\n 1\n \n \n 1 Office Keeper\n 25\n 0\n 0\n \n \n 1 Office Coolie\n \n \n \n \n \n 2 Watchmen\n 25\n 0\n 0\n \n \n CHINESE.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 12\n 10\n \n \n \n \n £4,846\n 15\n 5\n \n\nRoyal Engineer Department.\n\nPage 48.\n\n31. From the enclosed statement will be seen the duties which the individuals connected with this department are called on to perform. In my despatch, No. 10, of 25th January, I recommended that certain reductions should be made in this department, from which further experience and observation afford...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228841, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "page_number": 157, "title": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "content_text": "Gentlemen,\n\nEnclosure 14.\n\nLieutenant-Colonel Phillpotts to the Ordnance Officers.\n\nRoyal Engineer Office, Hong Kong,\n\nApril 10, 1849.\n\nWITH reference to the Brigade Major's letter of the 4th Instant, calling for \"the amount already expended upon public buildings\" in this colony, I have the honor to annex the following statement, viz:\n\nThe amount of expenditure, including large sums for temporary buildings and repairs, which was made chargeable by the Treasury to the Ordnance, prior to its being brought into annual estimates in the usual way was £146,838 0 0. The amount expended on the annual estimates from that period to the 31st ultimo, being on the approved annual estimates for 1846-47, 1847-48, and 1848-49, was\n\n \n ROYAL ENGINEERS, CIVIL DEPARTMENT.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n SCHEDULE of the Pay and Allowances of all Persons belonging to the Royal Engineer Department at Hong Kong,\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Gross pay and allowances per annum\n Deduct Income Tax\n Deduct Superannuation Fund\n Nett pay and allowances per annum\n \n \n 1 Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding\n £1,322 10 10\n £38 11 5\n £0 0 0\n £1,283 19 4\n \n \n 1 Captain or Brevet-Major\n £789 10 10\n £23 0 6\n £0 0 0\n £766 10 3\n \n \n 1 First Lieutenant\n £357 8 4\n £10 8 5\n £0 0 0\n £346 19 11\n \n \n 1 Ditto attached to Royal Sappers and Miners\n £378 13 4\n £11 0 10\n £0 0 0\n £367 12 5\n \n \n 2 Clerks of Works, 4th Class\n £589 0 0\n £16 15 7\n £7 10 6\n £564 14 1\n \n \n 1 Foreman, Ditto, 2nd Class\n £258 0 0\n £7 10 6\n £5 11 0\n £250 9 6\n \n \n 1 Clerk, 4th Class\n £203 5 0\n £5 11 0\n £2 1 0\n £195 12 5\n \n \n Total\n £4,846 15 5\n £123 9 1\n £15 3 0\n £4,718 1 7\n \n\nWith regard to \"what further outlay may be in contemplation either for additional works, improvements, or repairs,\" I beg leave to state that the estimates for the present year, which commenced on the 1st instant, are not yet authorized. The amounts as originally submitted to England in August last for consideration, were for\n\n \n Ordnance Services\n £12,102 2 1\n \n \n Barrack\n £40,464 9 6\n \n \n \n £5,289 6 2\n £21,925 9 4\n \n\nThese were subsequently reduced in compliance with the Board's order, dated 22nd September last, as follows, viz:\n\nIt appears, however, from a communication which I received from the Inspector-General of Fortifications by the last mail, that he has caused the amount of the Ordnance estimate for this year to be reduced to £4,057 9s. 11d, and it is probable that the Barrack estimate will likewise be further reduced before it is submitted by the Inspector-General for the Master-General and Board's authority,\n\nI have, &c.\n\nGEORGE PHILLPOTTS, Lieut.-Colonel commanding Royal Engineers.\n\n(Signed)\n\n \n ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS.\n \n \n \n 3 Serjeants, 2 Corporals, 2 Second Corporals, 42 Privates, and 1 Bugler\n £1,281 0 0\n \n \n Deduct 1 Serjeant, 1 Corporal, 13 Privates, and 1 Bugler, wanting to complete\n £395 8 4\n \n \n \n £885 17 1\n \n \n CHINESE.\n \n \n \n 1 Office Keeper\n £25 0 0\n \n \n 1 Office Coolie\n £12 10 0\n \n \n 2 Watchmen\n £25 0 0\n \n \n \n £62 10 0\n \n \n Total\n £4,718 1 7\n \n\nRoyal Engineers' Office, Victoria,\n\nApril 9, 1849.\n\n(Signed) GEORGE PHILLPOTTS,\n\nLieut.-Col. Commanding Royal Engineers.\n\nTable shewing the Duties which each Individual of the Royal Engineer Department at this Station is required to perform.\n\n1. Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers.-The direction, control, and responsibility of the Royal Engineer Department is in the Commanding Royal Engineer, who is also one of the respective officers of Ordnance, and in that capacity he attends all the meetings of the respective officers, and assists in the discharge of their various duties.\n\n2. Captain or Brevet-Major Royal Engineers.-Assists in the detail of the executive duties of the department, and takes the general charge both of the Ordnance and Barrack services, under the direction of the Commanding Royal Engineer.\n\n3. Lieutenant St. John, Royal Engineers.-Superintends the regular employment of the workmen, the beneficial use and conversion of all stores and materials, and the proper execution of the works and repairs coming under the head of Barrack services, with which he is charged, and he attends the measurement of the same. He looks over and countersigns the check returns, as well as the entry of the measurements of Barrack services, in the general measurement book, from which the pay lists and contractor's bills are made out. And he draws plans and assists in making estimates, &c., &c., for any works, as they may be required, and keeps a diary of all the works carried on under his charge,\n\n* At present absent.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228842, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "page_number": 158, "title": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "content_text": "50\n\n4. Lieutenant H. Phillpotts, Royal Engineers. Superintends the regular employment of the workmen, the beneficial use and conversion of all stores and materials, and the proper execution of the works and repairs coming under the head of Ordnance services, with which he is charged, and he attends to the measurement of the same. He looks over and countersigns the check returns, as well as the entry of the measurements of Ordnance services in the general measurement book, from which the pay lists and contractors' bills are made out. He draws plans, &c., and assists in making estimates for any works that may be required, and keeps a diary of all the work carried on under his charge. He attends to the proper care and arrangement of all plans, &c., in the Engineer drawing-room, and he has charge of the detachment Royal Sappers and Miners.\n\n5. Mr. William Burgoyne, Clerk of Works. Takes charge of and superintends the general expenditure of all stores and materials in the department; and he is responsible for carrying on the duties of the Royal Engineer Office, as regards the accuracy and regularity of all returns and other official documents, as well as the books, &c., that relate to the Ordnance services, which are more especially under his inspection and charge; though he makes a general inspection. He attends the officer of Royal Engineers in charge of the Ordnance services, in all measurements of works, &c., and assists in making plans, specifications, and estimates, for such works as may be proposed.\n\n6. Mr. S. H. Matthews, Clerk of Works. Is responsible for keeping the general check book of the workmen employed in the department, and for carrying on the duties of the Royal Engineer Office, as regards the accuracy and regularity of the books, &c., that relate to the Barrack services, which are under his inspection and charge. He attends the officer of Royal Engineers in charge of the Barrack services, in all measurements of works, &c., and assists in making plans, specifications, and estimates, for such works as may be required.\n\n7. Mr. George Burgoyne, Foreman of Works. Under the direction of the officers of Royal Engineers, assists in superintending the regular employment of the workmen; he is responsible for the due appropriation of all stores and materials issued for the works. It is his duty to keep an account of the expenditure in each service, and from time to time to furnish the Clerk of Works with every detail that may facilitate his keeping distinct the expense incurred on each item of the estimates.\n\n8. Mr. Joseph Cameron, Clerk. Makes out periodical returns, copies and enters letters for the Commanding Royal Engineer, and when not especially required in this manner, he assists the Clerk of Works in carrying on the duties for the proper performance of which he is always responsible.\n\nThe following books are kept in this office, viz.:\n\nLetters received\n\nLetters issued\n\n51\n\nMEMORANDUM.\n\nThe Detachment Royal Sappers and Miners are employed generally in the workshops, and in assisting to carry on the works.\n\n(Signed)\n\nG. P.,\n\nLieut.-Colonel commanding Royal Engineers.\n\nEnclosure 15.\n\nABSTRACT of the Ordnance Estimate for Hong Kong originally proposed to be expended during the Year 1849-50, showing by Alterations in red ink the Amount authorized.\n\nItems\nDescription and Locality\nVote required for the Year 1849-50\nFurther amounts required\n\n1\nFixing pivot irons at Murray Battery\n£10 9 5\n\n2\nDitto Wellington Battery\n£20 18 10\n\n3\nRoad from Upper level to the Queen's Road and new Powder Magazine\n£547-18 0\n~2,000—0—0\n\n4\nCutting down the parade ground\n£685 84\n\n5\nOrdnance storekeeper's residence\n\n6\nInternal whitewashing\n£4 17 3\n\n7\nTo complete bomb-proof magazine\n£3,000 0 0\n\n8\nGuard-house and shade for sentries\n\n£1,700 15 11\n\n9\nWarder's room and shifting room\n\n10\nLanding pier, crane, and boathouse, new arsenal\n~9,000 0-\n\n11\nRepairing roads and paths\n£5\n£30 0 0\n\n12\nRepairing tools, R.E.D.\n\n£14\nContingencies, R.E.D.\n£3,000 0\n~562 11\n\n13\nOrdnance incidentals\n£1,964 16 6\n55 17\n\n14\n\n£105-14 7\n\n15\nTo lay down grass seed\n£80 0 0\n-100\n\n16\nTo plant trees\n£20 0 0\n6\n\n17\nTo repairing platform and landing, Kellet's Island\n\n£9 3\n\n18\nTo put glass windows in Ordnance storehouse\n£40 0 0\n\n19\nTo put up books, rakes, &c. Ordnance storehouse\n\n£100 0 0-\n\n20\nPresses for Ordnance storehouse\n\n55 18 2\n\n21\nIron shelves for Ordnance storehouse\n£9108 5\n\n22\nWater closet, Ordnance office\n\n66 79\n\n23\nPrivies to arsenal and storehouse\n£50 0 0\n\n24\nLamp irons\n\n25\nExpense powder magazine, Murray Battery\n£75\n20 4 4\n\n26\nTo plant hedge, east and west sides of nullah, Murray Barracks\n£100 00\n10 15 3\n\nTotal\n\n£19,109———0—8\n\nInspectional reports\n\nEstimates\n\nContractors' journal.\n\nGeneral measurement book\n\nChecks of workmen's time\n\nExpense ledger\n\nOfficers' diary\n\nPerambulation reports\n\nMonthly returns\n\nDay journal of stores\n\nStore ledger\n\nMorning distribution book\n\nRequisitions\n\nAttendance book\n\nBills of lading of stores from England\n\nOrdnance service one of each.\n\nBarrack service one of each.\n\nDiary of materials and labour for day work, casual repairs.\n\n(Signed) GEORGE PHILLPOTTS,\n\nLieut.-Colonel commanding Royal Engineers.\n\nRoyal Engineers' Office, Hong Kong, April 18, 1849.\n\n(Signed)\n\nRoyal Engineers' Office, Hong Kong,\n\nMay 1, 1849.\n\nGEORGE PHILLPOTTS, Lieut.-Col. commanding Royal Engineers.\n\nPage 145", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228843, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "page_number": 159, "title": "CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]", "content_text": "52 \n\n53 \n\nItem \n\nEnclosure 16 \n\nABSTRACT of the Barrack Estimate for Hong Kong originally proposed to be expended during the year 1849-50, shewing by alterations in red ink the amounts subsequently omitted in compliance with the M. G. and B. order of 22nd September last. \n\nDescription and Locality. \n\nVote required for Further amounts the year 1849-50, \n\nrequired. \n\n50 \n\n51 \n\n52 \n\n53 \n\nVote required for \n\nItem \n\nDescription and Locality. \n\nthe year 1849-50. \n\nFurther amounts \n\nrequired. \n\n54 \n\n55 \n\n56 \n\n£. S. d. £. Ꭶ . d. \n\n57 \n\n1 To fit up washing rooms, Murray Barracks \n\n58 481 4 4 \n\nRenew girders and floor of upper verandah Enclose Ditto girder and floors soldiers' barracks ditto Ditto ditto hospital Pave lower verandah, guard house, \n\nBrought forward \n\nPave lower verandah, officers' quarters, Saiwan Inclose upper verandah, officers' quarters, ditto Pave lower verandah, soldiers' barracks, ditto Renew the ceilings of lower rooms, \n\n£ £. 3. d. 18,532 ļ 5 32 371 17. 2. \n\n£. S. d. \n\n81 10 6 \n\n109 2 6 \n\n119 3 7 \n\nditto 45 17 11 \n\nditto ditto 240 10 \n\n118 17 8 \n\n7 \n\n79 12 2 \n\n139 2 3 \n\nditto \n\n59 2 Tank and water pipes, ditto \n\n335 * 8 \n\nInternal whitewashing officers' quarters, ditto \n\n180 15 7 \n\nY 3 Ι 591 \n\nDitto \n\n3 Complete boundary wall, ditto \n\n11 12 1 \n\n59 \n\nDitto \n\n4 Chamfer the angles of piers, ditto \n\n5 New fives-court, ditto \n\n-$7 15-11- 200 0 \n\n59 \n\nDitto \n\nhospital, outbuildings, ditto \n\n7 11 5 \n\nditto \n\n2 5 \n\nNew married soldiers' quarters, ditto \n\n4,500 \n\n6 Tank and water pipes to Hospital \n\n370 13 0 0 3 5,000 0 0 \n\n60 Casual repairs, ditto \n\n100 0 \n\nU At Stanley, additional, about \n\n2,000 0 0 \n\n7 Branch pipes to east wing, (D) \n\n27 11 9 \n\n8 Ditto west wing, (E) \n\n15 16 9 \n\nCOMMISSARIAT. \n\n61 9 Enclose verandah, ditto \n\n169 13 \n\nNew Commissariat store \n\n10 To fit up wash-room, ditto \n\n11 Branch pipes, civil officers' quarters. \n\n12 New guard house, east end of cantonment \n\n13 Renew tiling of roof, North Barracks \n\n83 10 8 9 2 -609-14 1 \n\n1,378 14 0 \n\n62 3 New bakery \n\n63 64 Boat house \n\n65 Guard house \n\n14 Ditto joists and floor, west half ditto \n\n1,884 7 10 \n\n66 Coal, wood store, cooperage, coolies' room, &c. \n\nContingencies, Commissariat Department \n\n15 Ditto drains, North Barracks. \n\n221 10 0 \n\n16 Fit up washing and bathing rooms, ditto \n\n171 5 6 \n\n16 Water pipes to ditto \n\n155 19 11 \n\n1,500 0 \n\n1,500—0—0 \n\n609 6 4 150 0 0 \n\nTotal £ 21,925 9 \n\n40,464 96- 4 \n\n9,000 9 0 \n\n1,679 12 11 898 16 4 1,001 14 9 170 19 5 \n\n17 Verandah, south side Albany Barracks \n\n091 10 9 \n\n18 Cut away bank, &c., ditto \n\n110 15 11 \n\n19 Covered sewer from ditto \n\n1,007 2 7 \n\n20 New barracks to ditto \n\n21 Tank and water pipes, General's house \n\n5,900 -0 -609-2 \n\n0 6,000 0 0 \n\n(Signed) \n\n22 External painting, ditto \n\n23 Internal varnishing, ditto \n\n·70 08 -09-17 7 \n\n24 Iron palisading, &c., south side ditto \n\n170 14 \n\n25 Internal whitewashing officers' quarters, Victoria \n\n85 13 7 \n\nNo decision has yet been received respecting any of these items, \n\nGEORGE PHILLPOTTS, Lieut.-Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers. \n\nRoyal Engineers' Office, Hong Kong, May 1, 1849. \n\n251 Ditto soldiers' barracks, ditto \n\n202 17 4 \n\n254 Ditto hospitals, ditto \n\n166 6 9 \n\n25 Ditto canteen, ditto \n\n6 13 3 \n\n26 Ditto outbuildings ditto \n\n12 0 2 \n\nEnclosure 17. \n\n27 Casual repairs ditto \n\n28 Quarters for civil officers, R. E. D. \n\n700 0 0 5,500 \n\n2,971 18 * \n\n29 Ditto for Com. Royal Engineers \n\n2,000 せ 2,050 1 3 \n\n80 Ditto, Barrack Master \n\n*2,000 1,156 6 4 \n\n31 Ditto, principal Medical Officer \n\n2,000 0 * 1,150 6 4 \n\n32 Renew lower floor officers' quarters, Stanley \n\n1,260 9 6 \n\nSir, \n\n33 External coloring officers quarters \n\n30 \n\n334 Ditto hospital \n\n14 \n\n33 Ditto outbuildings \n\n34 \n\n344 84 Ditto \n\n35 External painting officers' quarters \n\nDitto Renew upper floors, officers' quarters \n\n115 8 \n\nhospital outbuildings \n\n\"40 0 \n\n555 11 0 \n\n36 Ditto, F. officers' quarters \n\n209 4 7 \n\n37 Secure jalousies, officers' quarters \n\n69 7 0 \n\n38 Ditto front doors \n\n18 11 7 \n\n39 Fixing iron gratings under floors, No. 9, Barrack officer's quarters \n\n12 2 8 \n\n40 Cut openings in partition walls, ditto \n\n41 Secure doors and fix gratings under floors of Sappers' quarters \n\n2 15 7 \n\n42 Fix gratings ditto, No. 10 barracks \n\n1 10 9 \n\n43 Secure jalousies, &c., hospital \n\n64 19 5 \n\n44 Ditto doors of ditto \n\n45 Renew girder, upper verandah, guard house \n\n46 Pave lower verandah of ditto \n\n47 Secure jalousies of ditto \n\n15 14 0 \n\n48 Internal whitewashing officers' quarters, Stanley \n\n13 16 1 \n\n48 Ditto soldiers' barracks, ditto \n\n15 12 4 \n\n48 Ditto hospital, ditto \n\n14 4 4 \n\n48 Ditto outbuildings, ditto \n\n7 18 8 \n\n49 Casual repairs, ditto \n\n200 0 0 \n\n18,532 2 5 \n\n2 2 6 \n\n258 15 9 \n\n51 2 7 \n\nMr. Bonham to Major-General Staveley. \n\nVictoria, Hong Kong, March 12, 1849. \n\nWITH reference to our late inspection of the military barracks at Stanley, and to the dilapidated state of the principal portions of the buildings, and with a view to saving all unnecessary expense in this colony, I consider it my duty to acquaint you, that so far as the civil government of the island is concerned, it does not appear to me that, under ordinary circumstances, it can be requisite to maintain a greater force than one company at Stanley; and having recently received a communication from the Right Honorable Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the strength of this garrison, I feel satisfied, that in times of peace its strength is not likely to be augmented. \n\nUnder these circumstances I deem it proper to record my opinion, that on no account should any outlay of public money be incurred at Stanley beyond what may be required for barrack accommodation for one company of troops; and if it be in contemplation to incur immediate expenditure for the repair of public buildings there beyond what may be required for that force, I would earnestly suggest its being suspended until a reference can be made to the Earl Grey, whose despatch by the last mail, relative to the expenses of this colony, you may remember particularly called my attention to the public works and buildings. \n\nI have, &c, \n\nS. G. BONHAM. \n\n(Signed) \n\nCarried forward 32,371–71—2- \n\n146", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 231312, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5]", "page_number": 97, "title": "CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5]", "content_text": "Dispatch Ao18 of 1857.\n\nInclosure No22 in\n\n1\n\nenclosing\n\nme\n\na Plaza is the property of Her Majesty: ground at present being levelled for F. C. B., representing that the price of address of Major General Sir J. Burgoyne, Commanding Royal Engineer, to the Letter from the Brigade Major from Lieutenant #thu AMale.\n\nEuphent\n\nCopy.\n\nN55.\n\nSin\n\nof ce\n\n34\n\nColonial Secretary's office, Victoria, Hongking, 24th March, 1857.\n\nI have the honor to acknowledge your Letter 1280 of the 21st Instant forwarding copy a communication from Lieutenant St. John, Royal Engineers, to the Inspector General of Fortifications, dated 14th Instant, and I am directed to acquaint you, for information of the Officer Commanding the Troops, that the Ground referred to by Lieutenant St. John has long since been considered, both by His Excellency The Governor, The Honorable Major General Staveley and Lieutenant Colonel Knowles, as not belonging to the Cantonment, and this sufficiently explained by the Colonial Secretary's\n\nCaptain Burnester,\n\nMajor of Brigade\n\n21st March 1857.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 231488, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-037 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [6-9]", "page_number": 6, "title": "CO129-037 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [6-9]", "content_text": "b. More clearly shows that in April, 1850, neither General Staveley, Colonel Phillpotts the then Commanding Royal Engineer, the former of whom arrived in January 1848, and the latter in March 1847, ever imagined that the Ordnance Department had any claim to the land; otherwise, they would no doubt have then urged their right to it, whereas, on the contrary, they only alluded to the possibility of the erection of a Battery which would not interfere with the appropriation of the ground as approved of by Lord Stanley.\n\nAnother strong feature of this case is, that in Mayor Aldrich's Letter to the Surveyor General of the 8th August 1844, herewith enclosed, he entirely excludes from the Cantonment the whole of the ground now under discussion. From all I can learn, this ground has never been alienated by the Civil Government, nor is there any record of its ever having been applied for by the Commanding Royal Engineer; the only foundation on which I informed the claim now set up is grounded—resting on Maps constructed in the office of the Royal Engineers, who however fail to produce any authority from the Civil Government showing their claim.\n\nPage ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-037 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [6-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 236169, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6]", "page_number": 33, "title": "CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6]", "content_text": "Page 266\n\nLt. Gov 63\n\n30\n\nConta\n\nColonel Minely.\n\nM L\n\n35\n\nSex Whidematt.\n\n266. 9 May\n\n2\n\n7\n\n7th Augst\n\nLt. Jam dirental by Sectors,\n\nL. William Robesworth to\n\ntransmit to you for the Consideration of Lord Panmure the Copy of\n\ndespatches with enclosures\n\nfrom\n\nthe Selection of\n\nHong Kong respecting the\n\ndisposal of Certain land\n\nheretofore occupied by the Naval Department.\n\nHis Lordship will\n\nreceive from the Jenpers\n\nthat whilst on the one\n\nhand Lt. Col. Whillingham,\n\nCommanding Royal Engineers\n\nVictoria, Hongkong,\n\n1855\n\n9th May, Lieut. Governor Caines\n\nThe Right Honorables\n\nLord John Russell, &c.,\n\n7 Inclosures.\n\nN.B.\n\nReceived\n\nMilitary Authorities,\n\nwith the Naval and\n\nSubmitting correspondence\n\nthe By\n\nCuff my p\n\nCLIM\n\nBink.\n\nthe military\n\nauthorities\n\nmay fairly\n\nlook to\n\nfor report,\n\nfor Civil purposes.\n\nat West Point required\n\nregarding certain ground\n\nM. Merivale. Do you think the Land Board would be able to furnish any information to this effect as to the value to the Colony of Lease of land held by the Ordnance\n\nsister to possess itself. If a reference be made to the\n\nDef = without the repression\n\nJ Rhea S. 4 S.\n\nHaik\n\nConclude that the\n\nWe deser...\n\nPage 267", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 236173, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6]", "page_number": 37, "title": "CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6]", "content_text": "Sir,\n\nI have the honor to\n\nIn 531/5.\n\nRoyal Engineers,\n\n34\n\nVictoria 45 April, 1855.\n\nthat you\n\nrequest\n\nwill\n\nhave the\n\nagain\n\nthe goodness to bring to\n\nthe notice of the Honorable The Colonel\n\nCommanding the Forces\n\nLetters of the\n\n4\n\n21\n\n2th January, 8 March, and 2nd April of this year, and lay the accompanying plan before Colonel ... as illustrative of the ground which I consider it will be clear of buildings, if the ...\n\nnecessary to keep\n\nBatteries at Elgin's Bungalow and\n\nThe Town Major,\n\nVictoria-", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 236183, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6]", "page_number": 47, "title": "CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6]", "content_text": "2\n\nRoyal Engineers are of opinion that no grant of the Land in question should be given until the\n\nOpinion and decision\n\nof the Authorities at Home have been\n\nreceived on this subject.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\n(Signed) John Ning, Captain,\n\nSnow Major\n\n(True Copy)\n\nColonial Secretary\n\n3\n\nCopy - 1/32.\n\n✓Copy -\n\nSir,\n\n8.627864.\n\n43\n\nTown Major's Office,\n\nVictoria, 20th April, 1855.\n\nI have the honour by direction of The\n\nHonourable The Colonel Commanding to\n\nenclose to you the accompanying correspondence sent to him by Honourable The Chief Governor, and to\n\nrequest, you will furnish without delay fully in detail\n\nyour opinion\n\nas to the\n\nnecessity of retaining the Land in question in possession of the Government. It appears to him that the Civil\n\nCaptain W. Cowper,\n\nComg. Royal Engineers.\n\n&c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-050 - Sir Bowring and Lieut Governor Caine - 1855 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 238668, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6]", "page_number": 77, "title": "CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6]", "content_text": "to have been produced by the stimulants of a banquet, it matters little whether the phrase employed be that the offender was 'merry' (ἱλαρός) or that he was 'drugged' (ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου). Common sense will understand it to intend that drink had obtained a mastery of his reason and self-control.\n\nperceptions of decorum and propriety. I continue also of the opinion expressed to you in mine of the 23rd Ultimo that I am not justly chargeable with having made public references to what occurred at His Excellency's table; as Sir John Bowring, in his autograph of that date, expresses it. Mr. Woodgate's table was\n\nconfessedly a private one; and that 'a guest', as quoted to me by His Excellency in his letter to me under date the 21st Ultimo, – doc: No. – not, as it appears to me, correctly rendered – does not appear to support, or warrant the inference that the Ante-room of Her Majesty's Officers and Engineers was a 'table d'hôte'. The enclosed note addressed to me (entirely without my solicitation on my part) by Lieut. Colonel Durnford of the Royal Artillery, now Commanding the Forces within this Colony, most satisfactorily demonstrates. If any table so described amongst those to which much reference has been made in the \n\nPage 91\n\nPage 92\n\nPage 76\n\n12\n\n91\n\n92\n\n76\n\n13", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 242073, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "page_number": 499, "title": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "content_text": "## \n18. \nbe, at his pleasure laid before the Secretary of State for War - and in the meantime I beg with due respect to repeat my application of the 26th ultimo for lot of land East of the last Guard House to be applied to military purposes. I have, &c. \n(signed) H. W. Lugard, \nMajor, R. Engineers. \n\n(a true copy) (signed) G. R. Wetherall. \n\n(True Copy.) \n(signed) Dr. J. Dudgeon, \nActing Colonial Secretary. \n\n## \nSurveyor General's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, \n9th July 1857. \n\nI have the honor to forward copy of a letter from Colonel Straughan, Commanding Royal Engineer, to the address of the Deputy Quarter Master General, dated 18 July, 1857, and a letter from Colonel Wetherall, Deputy Quarter Master General, to the Honorable \nM. T. Bridges, Esquire, &c.&c.&c. Acting Colonial Secretary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 247481, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12]", "page_number": 153, "title": "CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12]", "content_text": "honor to forward a copy of a Letter from\n\nColonel Wynne Commanding Royal Engineers and to state that I have\n\ndirected that Officers at once to place the necessary boundary stones & they prevent further Complication. The original plans have been signed by The Honorables F. Geo. Cleverly, Esquire, the Surveyor General and Colonel Wynne Com? Role and\n\napproved by\n\nthe Acting,\n\nHis Excellency the\n\nGovernor Colonel Caine, and\n\nmyself\n\nas\n\nCommanding\n\nthe Troops.\n\nI have\n\n150 mg. Troops in China.\n\nSep/C. Van Straubenzee 3 15\n\nCanz. Min\n\n(Copy)\n\n(FB) J. George Foley Cols\n\nMaclaren Fregatery.\n\n(Jav Copy)\n\nColonial Secretary.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 250262, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 412, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "5\n\n410\n\nasur\n\n4\n\n# Advance on Sin-ho and Capture of Tang-ku.\n\n## DESPATCH from Sir HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT.\n\n(No. 37.)\n\nSIR,\n\nHead Quarters, Tang-ku,* August 24, 1860.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that the Allied Forces were unable to leave Peh-tang until the 12th August, on account of the very heavy rain, which had made the country almost impassable.\n\nOn that morning, however, the troops marched according to the following dispositions, viz., the 2d Division of Infantry, an Armstrong Battery, a Rocket Battery, Madras Sappers, and the Cavalry Brigade, with three 6-pounders. The whole under Major-General Sir Robert Napier struck off to the right of the road leading from Peh-tang to Sin-ho, for the purpose of turning the left of the Tartar position. This column experienced the greatest difficulty in getting through the deep heavy ground, which extended for more than two miles out of Peh-tang, and considerably delayed the departure of the main column, under Sir John Michel, which moved along the causeway leading directly from Peh-tang to Sin-ho, and which was composed as follows, viz., the 1st Infantry Brigade, a company of Royal Engineers, an Armstrong Battery, 1,000 French Infantry, and a French Battery, all under Brigadier Staveley. This was followed by the 2d Infantry Brigade, two 9-pounder Batteries, and a Rocket Battery, succeeded by the main column of the French.\n\nOn approaching the entrenched camp, the Tartar Cavalry moved rapidly down to attack Sir Robert Napier, who was at this time about two and a half miles off, on my right flank. His report of that part of the engagement I beg to enclose.\n\nSir John Michel's Division deployed at the same time in front of the enemy's works, and opened fire with Lieutenant-Colonel Barry's Armstrong Battery and Captain Desborough's 9-pounders, a French Battery being on the left together with a French and an English Rocket Battery. These guns kept up such a heavy fire that the Tartars were unable to resist long, and they abandoned their works, being closely followed into their second entrenched line at Sin-ho, which they were unable to defend, and fled to Tang-ku.\n\nI enclose Sir J. Michel's report of this affair.\n\nThe enemy's force was composed principally of cavalry, and numbered about 4,000 men. At Sin-ho I was joined by Sir R. Napier's Division and the cavalry, who had cut up a good number of the Tartar horsemen.\n\nThe loss of the Chinese was about 100 men.\n\nOn the 13th I reconnoitred the ground along the banks of the Peiho leading to Tang-ku, and found it tolerably firm, though intersected with creeks and ditches. I ordered these to be bridged during the night, and on the morning of the 14th an Allied Force moved from Sin-ho towards Tang-ku, keeping their right flank on the bank of the river. The English part of the force consisted of the 1st Infantry Division under Sir John Michel, and the Artillery, as per margin, which formed one grand battery under Brigadier-General Crofton, R.A.\n\nOn arriving within a mile of Tang-ku, a battery and some junks on the right bank were silenced by two Armstrong and two 9-pounder guns; and a party of sailors who had been brought up for the purpose crossed the river and burned the junks.\n\nThe whole of the Artillery was then advanced to within 600 yards of the entrenchment, and opened a heavy fire on the walls—two French batteries deployed on our left—the enemy replying with 10 or 12 guns and a brisk fire of gingalls and matchlocks. The Artillery gradually advanced to within 350 yards, and the enemy's guns being silenced, a breach was commenced, when a passage across the double wet ditch was discovered at the river's edge by the 60th Rifles and an entrance was effected, the Chinese retiring with great precipitancy. At the same time the French advanced with great gallantry and entered by the main gate, which had been partially broken in by the Artillery fire. The garrison of Tang-ku retreated, some into the North Forts and some across the river to Tang-ku.\n\nI am happy to say that our losses in these two engagements were very slight, owing to the enemy being completely paralyzed by the superior fire of our Artillery.\n\n45 guns were captured in Tang-ku. My thanks are due to Major-Generals Sir John Michel and Sir R. Napier, commanding divisions (the former had a horse killed under him on the 14th), also to Brigadier-General Crofton, commanding Royal Artillery, and Brigadier Pattle, commanding the Cavalry, for the able way in which they exercised their respective commands; and the whole of the officers and soldiers acquitted themselves to my satisfaction.\n\nI beg to enclose a list of casualties.\n\nThe Right Honourable\n\n(Signed)\n\nThe Secretary of State for War.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nJ. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-Gen., Commanding Her Majesty's Forces in China.\n\n## DESPATCH from Major-General Sir R. NAPIER to Sir J. HOPE GRANT.\n\nSIR,\n\nCamp, Tang-ku, August 24, 1860.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report, for the information of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, the result of the operations of the force under my command, employed in the advance from Peh-tang, and the attack of the Tartar post at the Sin-ho entrenchment.\n\nThe troops left their billets at 4 A.M. of the 12th instant, and moved out in the following order: --\n\nAn advanced guard of 200 men of the 3d Buffs, with two Armstrong guns of Milward's Battery, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sargent, 3d Buffs.\n\n4 Armstrong guns, Milward's Battery.\n\n23d Company Royal Engineers.\n\n3d Buffs.\n\n8th Regiment Punjaub Infantry.\n\n44th Regiment.\n\nRotton's Rocket Battery.\n\nRoyal Marines.\n\nMadras Sappers and Miners.\n\nRight Wing 67th Regiment. Reserve Ammunition.\n\nHospital Stretchers, &c. Rear-guard.\n\nLeft Wing 67th Regiment.\n\nCAVALRY BRIGADE.\n\n2 Squadrons King's Dragoon Guards. Probyn's Horse.\n\n3 guns, Stirling's Battery. Fane's Horse.\n\nThe head of the column moved at 4 A.M., but though two days' hard work had been devoted to repairing the roads, the deep tenacious mud rendered them so difficult that it was not till half-past seven that the rear of the column cleared the gate of Peh-tang.\n\nAccording to his Excellency's instructions, the force above enumerated struck off from the causeway by a track to the right, at half a mile from Peh-tang. The Commander-in-Chief was himself a witness of the extreme difficulties which had to be overcome in extricating the troops from the inundated town of Peh-tang, and advancing them through the deep mud, in which gun-wheels frequently were imbedded axle-deep. It cost two hours' hard labour to the troops to traverse the first two miles.\n\nI advanced by brigades in line of contiguous columns at quarter-distance, my front covered by the advanced guard of 200 3d Buffs and Milward's Battery, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sargent. The cavalry was formed on my right.\n\nA considerable halt was necessary to enable the rear to struggle through the heavy ground, and close up, for I was aware that I was liable to attack from the north as well as from the enemy in front.\n\nObserving the approach of the allied columns to the direct attack of the entrenchment upon the causeway, and perceiving the enemy in great force, both in that entrenchment and in front of the village of Sin ho, I marched directly towards them, taking their position in flank, and threatening their line of retreat.\n\nOn arriving within 1,500 yards, Milward's Armstrong guns opened on the enemy. These were the first shots fired with that weapon in war, and the range and accuracy of their fire excited the admiration of the force. The Tartar horsemen were surprised by the fire, but not shaken. After some hesitation they streamed out in a long line through a passage across the marsh which separated us, and forming with great regularity and quickness, enveloped my force in a great circle of skirmishers. The northern portion formed by the Cavalry, known to be in that direction, who hitherto kept out of sight, seemed suddenly to rise in position from the plain.\n\nAs soon as the enemy's movements were clearly defined, I sent to Brigadier Pattle, commanding the Cavalry, directing him to detach a troop to protect my right rear, and to take the opportunity to charge, which the enemy so boldly offered him.\n\nI then had the satisfaction of seeing the admirable charge of my Cavalry, by which the Tartar horde, in front of them, was driven from the field in disorder. Milward's Battery\n\nPage 411\n\n...\n\nPage 412\n\n...\n\nPage 413", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 250263, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 413, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "Dr. DIE.\n\n411\n\nd of\n\nbe\n\nhad continued to play upon the enemy as long as it was possible to do without injury to our advancing Cavalry.\n\nAbout this time Stirling's half-battery, which being unable to follow the movements of Cavalry in such heavy ground, had been left with an escort of 30 of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Macgregor, was charged by a body of Tartar Cavalry of very superior numbers. Lieutenant Macgregor gallantly led his small party against the enemy and defeated them, many Tartars being killed, and Lieutenant Macgregor and many of his men being severely wounded.\n\nWhilst this was going on, my attention had been diverted from my right front to a large party of Tartars, who were steadily approaching the Buffs, on the left front, apparently regardless of the fire of two of Milward's guns under Lieutenant Harvey, of the Rifles, of the advanced guard, and of Rolton's rockets. They advanced to within 450 yards, and bore unflinchingly for a considerable time such a fire as would have tried any troops in the world. The 4th Brigade, under Brigadier Reeves, being similarly attacked at the same time, replied with a steady fire, which did considerable execution.\n\nAt length the courageous endurance of the enemy began to give way, and they fled from the field with precipitation.\n\nI then advanced my force towards the western end of the village of Sin-ho, and joined the Allied columns.\n\nAt no time throughout the day had we opportunity of coming into contact with the enemy's Infantry.\n\nTrusting that the objects intended by his Excellency have been carried out by the force under my command, I beg to bring to his notice the excellent conduct and discipline of the troops of all arms, during a very trying day.\n\nI am much indebted to the Brigadiers commanding the several brigades of Cavalry and of Infantry, and to the Officer commanding the Field Artillery, all of whom performed the duties intrusted to them to my entire satisfaction.\n\nI received the most valuable assistance from my divisional and personal staff, whose labours were unremitting.\n\nI beg to subjoin a list of officers whom I desire to earnestly recommend to his Excellency's favourable consideration.\n\nTo Captain Biddulph,\n\nSIR,\n\nMilitary Secretary.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) R. NAPIER, Major-General,\n\nCommanding 2d Division China Force.\n\nDESPATCH from Major-General MICHEL to Sir J. HOPE GRANT.\n\nHead Quarters, 1st Division, Camp, near Sun-ho, August 24, 1860.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that, in obedience to the orders of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, the 1st Division, under my command, marched from Pehtang about half-past 10 A.M. on the 12th instant.\n\nOn reaching the enemy's second picket-house, which is about 900 yards from their entrenched position, skirmishers of the 1st Royals were sent to the left, and some of the 31st to the right, and shortly afterwards Colonel Barry's Battery of Armstrong's guns, and Captain Martin's Battery of 9-pounders (the whole under the command of Captain Desborough), opened fire on the enemy's entrenchment at a distance of about 800 yards; after a cannonade of twenty-five minutes, the enemy's Cavalry were seen moving to their left from the entrenchments.\n\nThe guns then advanced to within 500 yards, and played on the enemy's position, as also on the Cavalry who were moving to their right; the fire of two Armstrong guns quickly dispersed their Cavalry, and in a few minutes the advance was sounded, and the enemy's position found to be abandoned.\n\nThe enemy now retired to the entrenched village of Sin-ho, but Sir Robert Napier's Division having turned their left, the Cavalry of the enemy, in large numbers, escaped behind this village towards the Peiho Forts.\n\nThe Armstrong guns, at a range of from 2,000 to 2,500 yards, made good practice on the fugitives.\n\nThis engagement having been entirely that of Artillery, only one man of the Division was wounded,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. MICHEL, Maj.-Gen.,\n\nCommanding 1st Division.\n\n7\n\nCapture of the Ta-ku Forts.\n\nDESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT,\n\n(No. 38.)\n\nSIR,\n\nHead Quarters, Tang-ku,\n\nAugust 24, 1860. I HAVE the honour to report that after the capture of Tang-ku on the 14th instant, I commenced bringing up siege-guns and ammunition from Pehtang with a view to the reduction of the Uppermost Fort on the left bank of the Peiho, distant about two miles from Tang-ku.\n\nThe ground upon which it was necessary to advance was mostly of a very difficult nature, and intersected with broad and deep canals used in the manufacture of salt.\n\nI placed Major-General Sir R. Napier in charge of the advance, his Division being quartered in Tang-ku. Under his superintendence, bridges were thrown over these ditches and canals by Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, commanding Royal Engineers; and heavy guns, as per margin,* with a good supply of ammunition having been brought into Tang-ku, the 67th Regiment and an Armstrong Battery were pushed forward on the evening of the 19th, to within 2,000 yards, to cover the working parties making roads, bridges, &c. On the 20th the road was made practicable to within 800 yards of the Fort, batteries were traced, and the heavy guns were brought out ready to place in position by daybreak of the following day. The Chinese opened fire during the day, and were replied to by Captain Milward's Armstrong guns, at 2,000 yards range, with good effect, and the firing gradually ceased.\n\nDuring the night batteries were constructed for the heavy guns and mortars, and for one field battery, also for two 8-inch guns, which were brought up by great exertions from Pehtang during the night; and the whole were placed in position by daybreak of the 21st August.\n\nIt had been arranged with the Admirals that the gunboats should cross the bar that morning, and should engage the outer North Fort, and the flank of the outer South Fort, at the same time that the attack on the inner North Fort was commenced by the land forces.\n\nAt 5 A.M., however, the Chinese opened fire upon the troops from all their forts within range, and we were thus forced to reply an hour earlier than had been intended.\n\nThe Artillery was disposed as follows:-A French 24-pounder battery of 6 pieces, one English 8-inch gun, and two Armstrongs, played on the inner South Fort to keep down the fire they might otherwise have poured on our right flank. Two Armstrong guns and two 9-pounders fired from Tang-ku across the river at an entrenchment which flanked the French right; three 8-inch mortars were in the centre at 600 yards range, and to their left rear an Armstrong battery, two 32-pounder guns, and two 8-inch howitzers, all of which played on the Fort we were attacking. In addition to this, two 9-pounder guns, four 24-pounder howitzers, the remaining two Armstrong guns, and a rocket battery, were placed in the open ground about 800 yards in front of the Fort.\n\nThe storming party of Infantry consisted of a wing of the 44th, under Lieut.-Colonel MacMahon, and a wing of the 67th, under Lieut.-Colonel Thomas, supported by the other wings of those two regiments, and the Royal Marines under Lieut.-Colonel Gascoigne. A detachment of Royal Marines under Lieut.-Colonel Travers carried a pontoon bridge for crossing the wet ditches, and Major Graham, R.E., conducted the assault. The whole were commanded by Brigadier Reeves.\n\nThe fire of the Artillery was most effective, the guns of the Fort (of which many were of very large calibre), were speedily silenced, and at about 7 A.M. the magazine blew up with a terrific explosion. A few minutes later the magazine in the outer North Fort was also exploded by a shell from the gunboats.\n\nThe field guns were all advanced to within 500 yards of the fort, and redoubled their efforts.\n\nThe fire of the Forts having almost entirely ceased, a breach was commenced near the gate, and a portion of the storming party was advanced to within 30 yards to open a musketry fire, the French Infantry being on the right, the English on the left.\n\nThe fire of our Artillery being thus partially compelled to slacken, the enemy emerged from their cover, and opened a heavy fire of musketry on our troops.\n\nThe French, under General Collineau, immediately pushed on to the salient next the river, crossed the wet ditches in the most gallant manner, and established themselves on the berm, from whence they endeavoured to escalade the walls; this, however, they were unable to effect, from the vigorous resistance of the Chinese.\n\n* Two 32-pounder guns, two 8-inch howitzers, three 8-inch mortars, three 5-inch mortars.\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 250265, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "413\n\n10\n\nat Tang-ku. I immediately took him to the position which I intended the French force to occupy, and also along the whole front, that he might be thoroughly acquainted with the general arrangements. At midnight I despatched my aide-de-camp, Major Greathed, to conduct the French column by a separate route, which he had previously reconnoitred, so that their line of advance was perfectly clear and unobstructed.\n\nThe disposition of the force was arranged as follows:-\n\nFour 24-pounder howitzers (two of Govan's and two of Desborough's), were placed in Battery No. 4 on the left, to play on the defences of the Fort under attack.\n\nTwo 32-pounders and two 8-inch howitzers in Battery No. 3 to open on the same defences and eventually to breach near the gateway.\n\nMilward's Armstrong Battery in Battery No. 5 to silence the enemy's guns by direct fire, and to keep down the fire of the furthermost Northern Fort, which supported the Fort under attack.\n\nA Battery (No. 2) of three 8-inch mortars was advanced between the canals, to shell the Fort from a distance of 500 yards.\n\nOn my right front a Battery was prepared for six guns to silence the fire from the right bank of the river and the Southern Fort; this battery was armed with one 8-inch gun, two of Barry's Armstrong guns, and two French 24-pounder rifled guns. The remaining four French guns were placed on the right, partly sheltered by the Tartar village, but free to turn their fire upon the numerous scattered batteries which lined the right bank of the river. Two of Barry's guns and two of Govan's guns were placed in position at Col. Sargent's picket on the south-east angle of Tang-ku, to cover the French right.\n\nAt 4 A.M. my column of Infantry moved into position, the right wing of the 67th and 44th Regiments, under cover of the canals, in advance, near the Mortar Battery. The remaining wing of the 44th and 67th Regiments, and one half of the Royal Marines, formed the support, which was posted under cover of the canals, near Milward's Battery. The other half of the Royal Marines carrying pontoons. The Royal Engineers and Sappers with material were placed under cover in front of the supports, ready to move forward and keep pace with the progress of the attack.\n\nThe enemy opened before these movements were completed, and as their fire was heavy I replied with Milward's guns, although the whole of my Batteries were not quite ready to open, and the French column, though punctual to the appointed time of 6 A.M., had not yet appeared. By 6 the whole of the British Batteries were in play; General Collinot arrived, and took up the position on the right which had been placed at his disposal, and the French Artillery likewise came into action against the Southern Forts and Batteries.\n\nOwing to the great extent of the enemy's position, they were able to open some guns against the right flank of the French column; but their fire was at once diverted, and eventually silenced, by the two guns of Barry's Battery, which were in position at Colonel Sargent's picket at the east gate of Tang-ku.\n\nThe enemy replied to the fire of our Artillery from all their guns that could be brought to bear; but the fire of the Fort attacked had already sensibly diminished, when a shell from the Mortar Battery, or Milward's guns, alighting in the magazine, caused a grand explosion, soon followed by a similar one in the remotest Northern Fort, with which the gunboats had been for some time engaged.\n\nThe guns of the Fort immediately attacked being nearly silenced, I directed, with the consent of his Excellency, an advance of all the Field Artillery to new positions within 450 yards, and the fire of our batteries was concentrated on the left of the gateway, with a view to breaching.\n\nThe skirmishers of the Allied Forces pushed vigorously forward, and obtained a position on the edge of the outermost of the two wet ditches which surround the Fort.\n\nThe French on the right succeeded in crossing the ditches by ladder bridges, and effected a lodgment on the berm of the unflanked angle of the work abutting on the river. The English pontoon bridge, carried by a party of Royal Marines, advancing on the line of the causeway opposite the centre of the Fort, was met by so heavy a fire that half the carriers were immediately disabled, and the construction of the bridge rendered impracticable.\n\nLieut.-Colonel Travers, R.M.L.I., Major Graham, R.E., were also wounded in attempting to carry out this duty. I thereupon directed the ladders to be brought forward and passed across the ditches towards the right. This was carried out by Lieut. Pritchard, R.E., and parties of our Infantry effecting the passage of the ditches, some by means of the ladders, others by swimming, made their way to the gate.\n\n11\n\nThe enemy made a noble and vigorous resistance, no entry had yet been made, the breach had not been completed, the gate was known to be built up, the attempts of the French to escalade at their angle were unsuccessful. At this juncture, with the permission of the Commander-in-Chief, I brought up two 24-pounder howitzers and two 9-pounder guns of Govan's to within 80 yards of the rampart, which firing over the heads of the men on the berm, cut away the parapet at the point where the defence was most obstinate.\n\nAfter a lengthened struggle the French entered the embrasure at their angle by escalade, and the British climbed into the partial breach near the gate at the same moment, Lieutenant Rogers, of the 44th Regiment, being the first man on our side established in the place. The troops of both nations now poured into the place, but foot by foot the brave garrison disputed the ground, and as there was no means of exit other than by dropping over the wall and crossing the defensive obstacles of ditches, stakes, and abbatis, the loss of the enemy when they were ultimately driven out of the work was very severe, both from the rifles of our Infantry, who crowded the cavalier, and from guns moved round to the left, which swept their line of retreat on the further Northern Fort.\n\nIt was half-past eight o'clock when this Fort, now proved to be the key of the whole position, was in our hands.\n\nThe guns of the cavalier were turned against the opposite Southern Fort, on which fire was still maintained from the heavy batteries on our right attack.\n\nWith the view of following up the advantages gained as soon as possible, fresh regiments, viz., the 3d Buffs and 8th Punjab Infantry, under the command of Brigadier Jephson, were brought to the front by his Excellency's orders, and the Artillery was put in position to enfilade the Fort still untaken on the north side. Suddenly firing on the part of the enemy ceased in all quarters, and white flags were displayed in all the Forts still in their hands.\n\nI need not refer to the further proceedings conducted by the Commander-in-Chief in person, which ended in the surrender of the remaining Northern Fort and the abandonment of those on the south side.\n\nCaptain Biddulph, Military Secretary,\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) R. NAPIER, Major-General,\n\nCommanding 2d Division China Force.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 254590, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-088 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1862 [10-12]", "page_number": 222, "title": "CO129-088 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1862 [10-12]", "content_text": "## Forwarding Correspondence on the Kowloon Subject\n\nThe Duke of Newcastle\n\nMr. Mercer\n\nInclosure.\n\n1.59.\n\nSteeves.\n\nSubject of\n\nGeneral Staveley\n\nMajor, R.E., and Brigadier\n\nbetween Lieut.-Colonel\n\nRoyal Engineers Office, Hong Kong; 20th October, 1862.\n\nI beg to forward the accompanying correspondence for the information of the Brigadier General Commanding.\n\nMemo: W.1094, 0.62.\n\nWith reference to the subject of the correspondence, with which Sir Hercules is already acquainted, relative to old Reports on Hongkong.\n\n(sd) H.E.B.M.\n\nJu1127/63\n\n220\n\nShould the Brigadier General require all the plans (and the correspondence refers to many), they will be sent if required, but they would require the personal explanation of someone acquainted with the whole of the subject; I will either attend or send an Officer, should either be required by the Brigadier General, Head Quarters, Shanghai.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-088 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1862 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256148, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3]", "page_number": 476, "title": "CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3]", "content_text": "# Report by Colonel Moody R. E.\n## Kowloon Peninsula\n## and\n## Military occupations thereof.\n\nMemo for information of the Brigadier General Commanding.\n\n### Sites reserved,\n#### 6 for Hospitals. Naval and Military.\n\n13.\n\n460\n\nCommanding Royal Engineers Office, Hongkong, 4 February 1863.\n\n1. Hospitals - Naval and Military - should it be required to reserve Sites for both Naval and Military Hospitals on the Kowloon Peninsula, I consider it necessary to state that I consider the same qualifications are necessary for both from a Sanitary point of view. In the case of the Naval Hospital, they should also be considered with reference to easy communication with the Harbour.\n\nThese qualifications are met by the same site proposed for the Military Hospital, being just above where Naval stores are now being constructed. The high ground immediately above these stores, as shown on the accompanying plan `HHH`, would therefore be reserved with this view - and if it is not intended to have a General Naval ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256229, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3]", "page_number": 557, "title": "CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3]", "content_text": "535 \n\nany objections that may be raised by him relative to my proposition (should there be any) by showing if there are any practical means for meeting the same - and removing them. \n\nConsider it advisable to proceed in this manner so as thoroughly to exhaust the subject at issue and prevent the necessity of further reference out here on the part of the Home Authorities, and this will save much valuable time and expense. \n\nIt was with this view that I forwarded all correspondence for the perusal of the Deputy Inspector General of the Engineers that I considered above relevant to the points at issue - and thus gave him every assistance in my power to enable him to form an opinion. \n\n(Signed) \n**M. A. Alexander** \nActing Colonial Secretary \n\nI have seen \n(Signed) \n**H. & B. Moody** \nLt. Col. C.R.E. in China \n\n(Countersigned) \n**E. Jenery L. Parentho** \nTempy Clerk. R. E.D. \n\nEnclosures in Colonel Moody's letter not forwarded: \n- Colonel Moody's Report on Kowloon sent in Acting Governor McNeer's Dispatch to Secretary of State No. 73 of 25th March, 1863. \n- Dr. Homes' Report on Kowloon also sent Despatch No. 73 of 25th March, 1863. \n\nCopy Letter from Sir B. Hayes to Under-Secretary of State Colonial Office dated 17th January 1862 Numbered: `Hongkong/96`. \n\nSigned by the Governor and Commanding Royal Engineer, Hong Kong, 5th July 1862.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-091 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 256366, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "page_number": 123, "title": "CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6]", "content_text": "CONFIDENTIAL\n\nMr Mercer\n\nThe Duke of Newcastle\n\nReceived\n\nA scheme for adjusting from time to time the property in Hong Kong, as submitted by Colonel, Commanding R.E. to the Inspector General R. &. Moody, forwarding to the War Department\n\n(Copy)\n\nRequested to be returned\n\nIn 6010/65\n\n120\n\nOffice Hong Kong\n\n23rd March 1863\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honor to enclose for the information of His Excellency the Acting Governor the accompanying Copy of a Confidential Memo from me to the Inspector General Royal Engineers relative to transfer, disposal, or other appropriation of War Department property in this command.\n\nMy object in sending this Communication is that it may receive the due consideration of His Excellency so that if the Scheme is considered fairly on all sides and thus...\n\nM. H. Alexander,\n\nColonial Secretary", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 259979, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-100 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [9]", "page_number": 188, "title": "CO129-100 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [9]", "content_text": "180\n\nand\n\nengage\n\nin private practice.\n\nAs this is more\n\na\n\nMilitary than a\n\nColonial question I referred In Storey's letter\n\nto the Commanding Royal Engineer in China,\n\nand\n\nbeg to forward Colonel Moody's\n\nin\n\nobservations upon it\n\nfor your\n\nConsideration\n\nThe only officer of the Royal\n\nEngineers at present\n\nin the service of the\n\nColony is Lieutenant Williams who,\n\nmy Despatch No. by of 10th\n\nMay last, is temporarily employed at\n\nreported\n\nin\n\nKowloon.\n\nLieutenant Williams\n\nis quartered at Kowloon in Command\n\nof\n\na\n\nCompany of Sappers, and is thus enabled,\n\nwithout\n\nneglecting\n\nhis Military duties, to\n\ndischarge the duties required from him\n\nby the Colonial Government in a\n\nvery\n\nefficient\n\nmanner.\n\nThe\n\narrangement has\n\nbeen sanctioned by Commanding Royal\n\nEngineer\n\nChina.\n\nand the\n\nGeneral Commanding in\n\nIt is in no way prejudicial to\n\nImperial interests, and is decidedly advantageous\n\nto the Colonial Government; for a competent Civil Engineer\n\ncould not be found\n\nto accept\n\nthe temporary appointment involving as\n\nit does\n\na residence at Kowloon - for any\n\nthing like the same remuneration as that allowed to Lieutenants Williams.\n\nI have the honor to be\n\nYour\n\nSir,\n\nMost Obedient Servant\n\nHerbert G. Robinson\n\nX", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-100 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 265376, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-112 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1866 [3-4]", "page_number": 296, "title": "CO129-112 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1866 [3-4]", "content_text": "**reserved** as \n\nquarters for \n\nMarried Soldiers.\n\nlx.\n\nIt had recurred to me that as the latter reserve certain's 10 acres was sufficient for the erection of a Levied Service Sub-district if not of two separate Hospitals. The enclosed calculation however by Colonel Sowerby Commanding Royal Engineers would seem to destroy even that chance for the Navy and therefore nothing remains but to hope that in lieu of the preferable site originally asked for by The position at N2.m. may even now at the eleventh hour be conceded.\n\nIS no 3 15. I was 293 myself so impressed with the embarrassing position in which the Naval Authorities are placed by their claims having been so summarily put aside that I ventured to suggest to Admiral King the alternative of selecting the site 4 or Mount Elgin if he really attached paramount importance to the erection of an Hospital at Kowloon. I stated that if he thought Mount Elgin would completely suit him or at least suit him better than the site at N3, I should represent his wish to you with a view to that concession being made to the Admiralty. I was in a position to make that offer.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-112 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1866 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 265740, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "page_number": 210, "title": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "content_text": "209\n\nwould in the absence of any other ascertained Boundary form a very desirable one!\n\nI have now the honor to report that I have since received through the Major General a copy of a letter from the Office Commanding Royal Engineers commenting on my dispatch and furthering a claim to a boundary for South of the stoves that I at present mark the limits of Cantonments.\n\nSovell then argues that many of them are such as to require very special notice and I had intended to transmit my remarks thereon by this mail. Knowing that it is intended by Colonel Sovell to forward his report by this opportunity, I cannot however do so because I have been unable as yet to obtain an answer to a plain question, viz: whether in stating that the Military Southern Boundary has been annually demarcated it is implied by Colonel Sovell that the Boundary was demarcated.\n\nThe question was asked through the Colonial Secretary. An incomplete if not evasive reply was returned on the 24th Instant. I repeated the question still more plainly on the 25th Instant, and now, though it is post office hours on the eve of the departure of the mail early tomorrow \n\nPage 210\nPage 211", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 265816, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "page_number": 286, "title": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "content_text": "## Royal Engineers, I have since been favored with the enclosed remarks on \n\nDespatch Colonel Lovell, Commanding the Royal Engineers.\n\n## b.\n\nIn reference to the assertion that there is no record whatever of my consent on the part of the Colonial Authorities to Sonchan Boundary heights other than the Boundary lines maintained on...\n\n## p. 1. 11 May, 1866\n\nThe Enclosure 2 in the plan signed by Governor Sir George Bonham on the 19 October 1853, Colonel Lovell produces a document dated 18th September 1853, and see Enclosure addressed to the respective Officer of Ordnance, in which the Boundary is represented by the then Commanding Royal Engineers as having consented to the arrangement of the limits of the Cantonments at Wongsong defined - and according to that document the 500 feet contour above high water mark does constitute part of the Southern Boundary.\n\n## 7.\n\nNow it is to be remarked that no copy of this detailed definition of the Boundaries was supplied to the Colonial Government, or ever sanctioned by the Governor, and its authority has as much intrinsic legal significance as if I signed a conveyance to myself of your property and some year subsequently sought to eject you and cited title.\n\n## 8.\n\nIt is further to be remarked that whilst that description of the Boundaries is dated the 15th September, the recorded plan of those Boundaries, signed back by the Governor and Military Authorities, and... \n\nSir Richard G. MacDonnell's Desp: 1926 of 28 April 1866.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 265823, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "page_number": 293, "title": "CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6]", "content_text": "## property. I beg to open to read Colonel \n\nLovill's letter of 25 July 1865 to the Director of Works at the War Office, objecting to the road because it would \npass near a magazine, and \nstating that he had therefore been unable to hold out any hope of the sanction of the Secretary of State for War.\n\n21.\n\nIt is gratifying to find that so \nnarrow a view met with \nno countenance \nfrom his superiors, and that in the communication from the War Office of the 8 October Colonel \nLovell is reminded that a similarly situated road in Hyde \nPark runs near \nto a Magazine without the slightest \"apprehension of danger.\" I do hope therefore that the War Department in \n\n## 22 May \nMay, 1866 \nSea Enclosure.\n\n3.\n\n292 \n\nIn case Her Majesty's Government does not intend to build permanent quarters \nfor a small \narmy in an unhealthy site, I will instruct the Officer Commanding \nthe \nRoyal Engineers accordingly, and I will leave the local Government free to exercise \nits reasonable rights to the improvement of the town and the convenience of all its inhabitants, Military \nand Civil.\n\n28.\n\nWere it thought necessary it \neven be inserted in the lease of any ground sold on behalf of the proposed \nroad, that it could be taken \nby \nthe War \nDepartment on paying the value of the \nbuildings \nwhich \nbeing detached villas \nwould be convertible to \nmany useful \npurposes, and on the Colony reimbursing", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 266139, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8]", "page_number": 32, "title": "CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8]", "content_text": "## Original Text Reconstructed\n\nThe Governor should therefore feel obliged by the accompanying letter being referred to Colonel Lovell with a view to the latter's offering such suggestions as he may consider expedient. At the same time, His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell wishes the General to understand that the enclosed letter makes no difference in his previous views as to the necessity for a European guard - and for Barracks to accommodate them.\n\nWhen Lord Hartington states that a guard of 20 Men is Necessary, he implies thereby the necessity of providing Barrack accommodation for the number of men required to furnish that guard, because it would be wholly inconsistent with the Instruction previously received by His Excellency and by the General, unnecessarily to expose British troops to the deleterious effect of this climate by marching them from all weather to mount guard at a distance, as would be necessary if Barracks were not provided for them in that place.\n\nIn point of fact, it is not contemplated by His Excellency that the European guard on duty at one time should ever amount to 20 men - Barrack accommodation for 60 only is... \n\n31 \nthe office commanding Royal Engineers to obtain from him a plan of a loop-holed enclosure wall as more fully set forth in the accompanying letter.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 266179, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8]", "page_number": 72, "title": "CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8]", "content_text": "You can find Chat. \n\nCan drepose 71, 8577 nended recaniutu Colonel Favill, Commanding Royal Engineers, with a view to carrying out the instructions contained in Lord **...**'s letter of the 8th last May.\n\nThe total cost is estimated at $1,930.16, and I shall have that amount inserted on the Estimates for 1867 now in preparation.\n\nI have the honor to be, Sir, my most obedient servant, \n**...** Reisend Graner\n\n## Enclosure in Secretary of State to Governor, No.83, 10th May 1866.\n\nGraves Macdonnell, Governor, \n+ of it under the minutes on which have been sanctioned. Landgrantsoon, probably the best way will be to do so at once.\n\n## WE 10 Sep.\n\n1. Ellert or 0577 not ann \n2. must have become separated in pouch and has returned", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 266755, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-115 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [9-10]", "page_number": 93, "title": "CO129-115 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [9-10]", "content_text": "92\n\n2.\n\nIt does not appear that the complete formal assent of the Military Authorities has been given to the construction of that road.\n\nIt is true that Mr. Mercer in his despatch No. 906 of 31st December 1865 reports all objections of the War Department (No. 1759/65) as being happily withdrawn; but nevertheless I only find as authority for that statement amongst the enclosures to that despatch a private note from Colonel Stuart, Commanding Royal Engineers, stating that the road \"would\" not be objected to by the Home Authorities, \"so that there appears to be no objection\" to the proposition now being put into form.\n\nOn 15th December 1865, he merely acknowledges Mr. Mercer's announcement of the War Department having withdrawn their former objections. It does not, however, seem that any further action has since been taken to put the matter in the official form mentioned by Colonel Stuart.\n\nUnfortunately, that officer is absent at present in Japan. Nevertheless, under the circumstances, it is quite clear that no objections do exist on the part of the War Department to the road - entirely apart from any question as to the actual extent of the Cantonments adverted, the extent of which is a matter to be decided in an official form.\n\n#\n\nMy despatch No. 56 of the 7th June 7494.\n\n3.\n\nIn My Lord Cardwell's reply No. 34, 26th February 206, 1757/65.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-115 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 267194, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12]", "page_number": 139, "title": "CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12]", "content_text": "especially to my dispatch Nr 56 of the 7th last June I have the honor to state that it has since been brought to my\n\nnotice that the East and West Boundaries\n\nof the Cantonments are\n\ndefined\n\ndistinctly\n\non the Ordnance Map of the Colony prepared by Lieut. Cottinson\n\nof the Royal Engineers, and signed by Major Aldrich Commanding and Superintending Royal Engineer\n\nthe 30th October 1845.\n\nOn that Plan, a certified Copy\n\nof part of which is herewith forwarded\n\nthe East and West Boundaries of\n\nCantonments are clearly shown -\n\nterminating in the\n\none instance at the\n\n100 foot Contour and in the other at\n\nthe 300 foot Contour, but\n\nno Boundary\n\nwhatever is shown on the South,\n\nwhilst\n\non the North, the Sea forms\n\nthe Boundary.\n\nIt is clear that if there had\n\nbeen a Boundary fixed for the South\n\nside other than that\n\nconnecting\n\nthe\n\nBoundary Stones at the East and Western Corners Colonel Lovell's former reason\n\nfor the absence of such Boundary line\n\non the document of October 1853 is\n\nhe cannot\n\ninapplicable here\n\nDay.\n\nthat it would have been shown had", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 267412, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12]", "page_number": 357, "title": "CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12]", "content_text": "97\n\n355\n\nand the Naval Yard. The Major General\n\nis absent\n\nat a\n\nthis refers,\n\nleft\n\nGeneral\n\nto throw to what exact spot\n\nthe North Bank's\n\nBuildings situated between these two localities\n\ngrant\n\nThe\n\nI\n\nMissing. The sea wall\n\nobserve that\n\nIn paragraph 11 of this Excellency only remembers an accidental mention by Lt. Col. Lovell, Royal Engineers, in which the Governor\n\never mentioned\n\nthat possibly at same extension of the throw would lead to filling up all the shallow portion of the harbor, \"making a straight line of beach from North Point to the Praya, whereupon the\n\n\"Colonel observed that he was already contemplating\n\nsuch improvement on\n\n#1\n\n\"a minor scale. I now quote paragraph 4\n\n\"His Excellency never had not the\n\n\"slightest conception that any\n\nplan of the\n\nWind then alluded to, and involving\n\n\"extension of the Military lands into the\n\n\"Harbor, or in fact any alteration of the\n\nin any way\n\nhad\n\nproposed cantonments but not only maintained but actually\n\nforwarded for the sanction of the War\n\nDepartment without his\n\nor knowledge.\n\nIn reply I am to request you will call the attention of His Excellency\n\n20\n\nto the following facts - On the 26th April\n\n1863, Colonel Moody, then Commanding Royal Engineers in China, addressed a letter to the Inspector General Royal Engineers in England entering fully\n\nvery", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 269897, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-122 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [5-6]", "page_number": 112, "title": "CO129-122 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [5-6]", "content_text": "Cantonments, and doubtless such proposition must have been accompanied by detailed plans. Nevertheless, it is certain that this Government is still without any information as to the nature and extent of those plans.\n\n7. I am therefore instructed by His Excellency to request that you will draw the Major General's attention to this fact, with a view to his giving directions that full information of all plans submitted to War Department for the enlargement of the boundaries of the Military Cantonments on the extension of their frontage seawards.\n\n8. It will suffice for this purpose that the officer commanding the Royal Engineers be instructed to show the correspondence and plans in question at his office to the Surveyor General, who will be required to attend there at any time most convenient.\n\n9. This information becomes necessary now, as His Excellency is in hopes that the arrival of Vice Admiral Sir Henry Keppel may afford an opportunity for the Colonel, Military and Naval authorities...\n\n108", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-122 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 275841, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-133 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [10-12]", "page_number": 413, "title": "CO129-133 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [10-12]", "content_text": "409\n\nMr Buckle, as I am informed by Colonel De Butts Commanding Royal Engineers, has already had three years experience of Chinese workmen and Contractors, a most important qualification but which cannot be expected in a newly nominated officer from England. I have every reason to be satisfied with the manner in which Mr Buckle has hitherto discharged his duties, and with the character which his Commanding Officer gives him. I therefore recommend my application to Your Lordship's favorable Consideration, if the vacancy has not yet been filled up; for his retention in the Service of the Colony would probably be a safer as well as more convenient Course than the appointment of an untried person to be sent from England.\n\nI have the honor to be,\nMay it please Your Grace,\nYour Grace's most obedient,\nhumble Servant,\nRawson W. Rawson\nGovernor.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-133 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 281334, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2]", "page_number": 373, "title": "CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2]", "content_text": "## \nHe has been promised pay provisionally at the rate of £350 per annum with the usual allowance for chair coolies, and under the circumstances I hope Your Lordship will approve this provisional expenditure. It is not, however, the only item in which I have found it necessary to seek extra advice and aid. M. Moorsom lately waited with the original plan and specifications of the Water Works at Pokfulam, suggesting therein certain alterations. I told him candidly, that I had not confidence sufficient in myself to advise on such a subject, for which estimates had been recently made by himself in conjunction with the late Surveyor General, and that on the other hand I had not sufficient confidence in him to accept his suggested alterations in works of so much importance, involving a total expenditure of $200,000. I have, therefore, by advice of my colleagues and with consent of the Governor, requested Lieutenant Colonel De Butts Commanding the Royal Engineers to report not only on the suggestions of M. Moorsom, but absolutely on the state and progress of the works in general, and the probability of their attaining the object sought, viz:- a sufficient supply of water for... \n\nPage 371", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 281662, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5]", "page_number": 224, "title": "CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5]", "content_text": "222\n\ntransfer to the Colony by the War Department of the Road between the Parade Ground and the Barracks, which has for many years been the only available means of Communication for carriages between the City and upper part of the City and the Eastward, and which has in consequence been maintained at the expense of the Colony.\n\n2. I also enclose Copies of a Communication received from the Major General commanding, approving of a Report from the Officer Commanding the Royal Engineers on the proposed transfer, and enclosing a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel De Butts admitting that the Road in question is of little use to the War Department, and might be transferred, without objection to the Colonial Government.\n\n3. Lieutenant-Colonel De Butts has, however, appended to his recommendation a suggestion that advantage should be taken of the concession obtained by the Colony for a return to the War Department of the foreshore adjoining the Military Boundary. Nevertheless, it seems to me inexpedient to confuse a question of that nature with an entirely different matter which should be judged on its exclusive merits.\n\n4. I have therefore to request that Your Lordship will be good enough to submit to the Secretary of State...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 281670, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5]", "page_number": 232, "title": "CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5]", "content_text": "## \nb. \nThe Military Boundary should \nbe given \n\n(Signed) H. R. De Butts, \nLt. Colonel CRE. \nKowloon \nApril 10th 1870.\n\n## \nJUNE 13 1870 \n\n### HONG KONG \n\nPart Plan of Cantonment \n26067238 \nTo accompany the Commanding Royal Engineers' Memo for Major General Commanding dated 6 June 1870.\n\n| | |\n| --- | --- |\n| Parade Ground | 100 |\n| Scale of Yards and Feet | 50 |\n\nMurray Barracks \nNatural Scale 1:1920 \n100 | 200 | 300 Yards\n\nCertified by M. B. De Butts, Lt Colonel, CRE \n6/4/70, \nas correct copy of original \nattached to `C.E. 1012` of 11 Apr '70. \nFur: Gesch \n21.4.70", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-144 - Sir MacDonnell & Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1870 [3-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 288921, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-159 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [9-12]", "page_number": 294, "title": "CO129-159 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [9-12]", "content_text": "this arrangement? \n\nI have to request information as to whether it is intended by the Colonial Government that this Officer's time should be solely and exclusively placed at their disposal?. \n\nIf not, from my previous experience during the time I have been in the Colony and Lieutenant Mostarry has been Assistant Surveyor General, I do not consider he can attend to his Departmental duties in addition to his inserted duties in the Surveyor-General's Office.. \n\nShould he be wholly drawn from his Military and Departmental duties, he would come under clause 15. \n\nCopies of Clause 2 and 3. \n\nclause 3, Royal Warrant, dated, 15th January 1872, Army Circular, 17th January, 1872, if not, under clause 2, Same Warrant. I have to \n\n(Signed) & M. G. E. E. Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Royal Engineers. \n\n(True Copy) \n\n(Signed) A Walker, Captain R.E. for D.A.G. Mil. Secy.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-159 - Sir Kennedy - 1872 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 293689, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-167 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [1-8]", "page_number": 349, "title": "CO129-167 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [1-8]", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nreply to the questions asked in 4 to the reference to **Colonial Defensive Organization**.\n\nI have the honor to be My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient and humble servant,\n\nWhmely Gwiner\n\n## COLONIAL DEFENSIVE ORGANISATION\n\n1. Colonial military force now existing, with the nature of equipment.\n\nThe \n\n2. Yearly sum voted by the Legislature for its maintenance, with the appropriation thereof.\n\nIn this Colony no vote is taken.\n\n3. The Legislative powers possessed by the Governor, for enrolling, arming, and equipping the population; for organising the same in military bodies; and for providing these with capable officers.\n\nOrdinance No. 5 of 1862 authorises enrolment for Colonial Force.\n\n4. The extent to which the Legislative powers of the Governor are used during peace, in respect to-\n | Item | Description |\n | --- | --- |\n | (a) | The training of the existing force. |\n | (b) | The preparation of corrected Militia rolls, with a view to the enrolment and embodiment of the reserves without delay in case of emergency. |\n | (c) | The paper organisation of those reserves in battalions. |\n | (d) | The instruction and appointment of officers. |\n\n5. Supposing the embodiment of the whole or a part of the reserves to be necessary; in what manner and from what source is it intended that they shall be equipped?\n\n6. The existing railways and their capacity for the transport of troops and stores; and their liability or otherwise to interruption by an enemy.\n\n7. Colonial naval force now existing, showing number and description of vessels, with their crews and armaments.\n\n8. The Legislative powers possessed by the Governor for enrolling a Marine Militia.\n\n9. The extent to which those powers are exercised in peace, in respect to-\n | Item | Description |\n | --- | --- |\n | (a) | The training of the Marine Militiamen. |\n | (b) | The preparation of Marine Militia rolls. |\n | (c) | The proposed method of employing the force in time of war. |\n\n10. Description and armament of coast or river defences and of inland forts, with a statement of the mode in which such defences and forts would interfere with the operations of an enemy.\n\nAs regards his answer to the following questions, it is reported that questions 4 by subsections are inapplicable to the Colony by Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers on being attacked on 27 May 1874.\n\n`H&S(102)`\n7816\n74\n344", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-167 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [1-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 293801, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-167 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [1-8]", "page_number": 461, "title": "CO129-167 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [1-8]", "content_text": "456\n\neffected by a system of Torpedo defence, and having directed that steps should be taken to select and report upon the site which appeared most eligible for a Torpedo establishment, a Board was convened for such purpose.\n\nThe piece of ground selected by them being Colonial property, an application has been made to me for its acquisition.\n\nI have no objection to make, provided the terms proposed by the Surveyor General and accepted by the Colonel Commanding the Royal Engineers are observed.\n\nI have to request Your Lordship's sanction to the transfer.\n\nI enclose, for the information of Your Lordship, a copy of the correspondence which has taken place between the Military and Colonial Departments together with site plans shewing the area of the ground and the position of the proposed building, wharf, and tramway.\n\nI have the honor to be,\n\"My Lord,\nYour Lordship's most obedient humble servant,\nGovernor.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-167 - Sir Kennedy - 1874 [1-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 297901, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 362, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "359\n\nto admit of the arrangement being\n\ncompleted or even as the instruction\n\nwere received.\n\n26.\n\nThe matter rested thus until\n\nthe next year\n\nin the month of August\n\nwhen a letter\n\nwas received\n\nfrom the\n\nSenior Military Officer stating\n\nthat\n\na boundary stone had been\n\nplaced at the point marked X in pencil on the plan, where the proposed\n\nnew Road branches off from that leading towards the Albany, I think the grant to the Sun\n\nmay now be\n\ntransferred\n\nfrom the War Department to the Colonial Government; the date of\n\nplacing\n\nthe stone as to its\n\nposition\n\ncan\n\nbe recorded as evidence\n\non the plan by War Department properly in the office.\n\n27. Upon this a few days subsequently a Memorandum recorded by the Surveyor General to the effect that the Boundary Stone had been placed at the spot indicated by Lieutenant Colonel De Ponth, and finally the Surveyor General states \"I have the day seen the Commanding Royal Engineer who informs me the Royal Engineers is perfectly satisfied with the\n\narrangement\n\nthat have been made,\"\n\n28.\n\nThis\n\nmy Lord, is the history\n\nof the transfer, and I venture to say", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 297917, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 378, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "desirable Southern boundary constitutes a very desirable boundary of the Cantonments. A copy of any despatch being transmitted for the information of the General Officer Commanding Royal Engineers, I have since been favored with the enclosed remarks on that despatch by Colonel Lovell Commanding the Royal Engineers.\n\n6. In reference to the assertion that no record whatever exists of any consent on the part of the Colonial Authorities to a Southern boundary higher than the boundary stones marked on the plan signed by the Governor Sir George Bonham on the 19th February 1853.\n\nColonel Lovell produces a document dated 15th September 1853 and addressed to the respective officers of Ordnance, in which the Governor is represented by the then Commanding Royal Engineer as having consented to the arrangement of the limits of the Cantonments at Stonecutters Island therein defined, and according to that document the 300 feet contour above high water mark does constitute part of the Southern Boundary.\n\nNow it is to be remarked that no copy of this detailed definition of the Boundaries has ever been supplied to the Colonial Government.\n\nPage 375", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 297924, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 385, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "Colonel Lovell be deprived by acceding to buy proposal.\n\n23.\n\nPutting aside the fact that the harbour department will only be deprived of what it never possessed, I believe that except for a few detached villas, with ample space between, there is no site in the gorge under the mountain fit for European Troops, because in all Hong Kong there is no place where they would be so completely shut out from all chance of ventilation and breeze during the S.W. Monsoon.\n\n24. I do not however dwell on this for whether the ground be healthy or the reverse I believe the War Department has no property in it.\n\nPage 382\n\nand seeing that at Stanley, Kowloon and in the town of Victoria itself that Department already possesses far more extensive land than it is likely soon to occupy with Military Buildings, unless it is intended to quarter a small Army permanently at Kowloon and Hong Kong.\n\nI do hope that the Colonial Government may be induced to entertain more reasonable views of the probable requirements of the Army.\n\nPage 257\n\nIt is idle to expect that the Officer Commanding the Royal Engineers will do otherwise here than elsewhere, viz: regard it as a point of honor not to yield.\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 297925, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 386, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "foot of ground which under any pretext can possibly be reclaimed. It is a peculiar view of their duty in which I have found all Ordnance\n\nOfficers to participate.\n\n26.\n\nEven in reference to the proposed new Road, which in any case must have greatly benefited the Ordnance property, I beg of you to read Colonel Lovell's letter of the 25th July 1865, to the Director of Works at the War Office, objecting to the road because it would pass near a magazine, and stating that he had therefore been unable to hold out any hope of the sanction thereto of the Secretary of State for War.\n\n27.\n\nIt is gratifying to find that such a narrow view met with no countenance from his superiors and that in the communication from the War Office of the 5th October Colonel Lovell was reminded that a very great \"frequented road in Hyde Park runs near to a magazine without the slightest apprehension of danger.\" I do hope therefore that the War Department, in case Her Majesty's Government does not intend to build permanent quarters here, a small Army in an unhealthy site will instruct the Officer Commanding the Royal Engineers accordingly, and will leave the local Government", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 297970, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 431, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "428\n\nto the Colony either\n\nCLA\n\na road\n\nor as a\n\nmeans of\n\nof opening new sites for building purposes\n\n12\n\nIt is the construction of this new road, so often and so warmly urged by preceding Commanding Royal Engineers, and the circumstance that in order to avoid further\n\n022\n\ndiscussion on the subject out here, the Colonial Government is for the second time in the history of these transactions, requesting\n\nmou\n\nthe concurrence of the War Office to the transfer of 1869, which has given rise to the objections\n\nnow advanced by Colonel Moggridge, and in reply to which the following remarks are respectfully submitted.\n\n13.\n\nWater supply\n\nare as\n\n(A) Cession of Gathering grounds The sources of supply to Military Buildings\n\nstated by the Commanding Royal Engineer two in number, that is, the Albany Nullah which represents the Main supply, and the Magazine Nullah subsidiary supply further to the West.\n\na\n\nj\n\nBoth these\n\nahe\n\nperennial Streams\n\ntheir\n\nowing\n\norigin\n\nto the constant condensation of clouds by the Mountain tops above Victoria. The water is led into War Department tanks made of brick and covered over so as to render their contents inaccessible. Both tanks are situated above the level of the new road. By far the largest portions of the drainage\n\nconstituting the sources are on Colonial lands situated, as before stated, high up on the Mountain\n\nAreas\n\nCA\n\nsides above the 500-foot Contour and consequently\n\nbeyond the reach of Military supervision and Control. As regards the question of Gathering grounds, it cannot be too distinctly understood that the transfer\n\nentails\n\nno\n\nsacrifice whatsoever\n\non the part of the Military Authorities, inasmuch as\n\nthe capacity of those small portions below the 500-foot Contour may\n\nbe taken, in the dry season when water is most scarce, absolutely nil, while in the rainy season the\n\nsame are\n\nequally valueless from the fact that the Streams come down from the Mountain tops\n\nalready filled to overflowing.\n\n(B)\n\nRisk of Pollution from Military Cultivation", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 298003, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 464, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "Royal Engineers Office\n\nVangtang\n\n12th February 1876.\n\n461\n\nIn obedience to the terms of your letter No. MPM from the Government Secretary's Office dated 8 February 1876 covering copy of Despatch No.22 from His Excellency the Governor to the Right Honorable the Earl of Carnarvon, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies dated 8th May 1876.\n\n2. I very respectfully submit as follows\n\nColonel, Commanding Troops", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 298019, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 480, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "to make to the \n\nwith \n\narrangements detailed in correspondence, forwarded there.\n\nfor his perusal, and accompanied by a plan, shewing the intended line of the\n\nnew \n\nRoad, and the \n\namended one of the portions of the \"War Department ground decided\n\ngiven up \n\nto be \n\nThe objection which Major General Brunker has recorded is one which Colonel Sir Edward Bruce, the\n\nofficer Commanding Royal Engineers, concur with him in considering of undue importance, and one which is not\n\n) \n\nremoved, though modified by the conditions imposed by Major General Guy being observed)\n\n477\n\nThere appear to have been\n\na suggestion that the Road should not approach the\n\nMagazine boundary wall at \n\nnearer \n\nthan 20-feet \n\npoint \n\nalso \n\na suggestion that a high wall should \n\nalso be built \n\nfor security \n\nas an additional \n\nmeasure\n\nThe Major General in \n\nquestion \n\nshares Colonel Sir Edward Bruce's views as \n\nto this being feasible, and as the point was conceded by Major General Guy, in consideration of the difficulties to be otherwise overcome by the Colony, Major General Brunker will withdraw\n\nhis opposition to the scheme, provided the under mentioned conditions \n\n1 \n\nPage 480\n\nPage 481", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 298028, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "page_number": 489, "title": "CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3]", "content_text": "those made last year. was made for the aid of an Inspector of Police, to the Captain Superintendent of Police, to prevent any breach of the peace being committed, but not to assist in the definition of the war Boundaries.\n\nDepartment on the 13th inst., the encroachments on Lands were then found standing on War Department and removed pursuant to notice, by a party of Royal Engineers accompanied by an Inspector of Police who happened to be the same officer who had acted in this matter last year.\n\nAn application through His Excellency the Major-General Commanding for the aid of the Police (which aid had been after some correspondence granted by the Colonial Government) having been put forward by me last year it did not appear necessary to go through the same course in an emergency exactly similar this year also, and hence the application was made direct by me to the Captain Superintendent of Police for the assistance of an Inspector and Constable.\n\n(signed) John Y. Moggridges Colonel, R. Engineer.\n\nR.E. Office, Hongkong, 20th November 1875.\n\nTrue Copy\n\n(signed) A. Bassane, Col. Commanding", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-173 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 301100, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12]", "page_number": 228, "title": "CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12]", "content_text": "226\n\nEIV 0.0.\n\n17 NOV\n\n1277\n\nNo136-\n\nMy Lord,\n\nGovernment House,\n\nHongkong, 10th October, 1877.\n\nOn the recommendation of the Surveyor General I applied to the Colonel Commanding the troops and obtained the services of Corporal Leolston of the Royal Engineers to fill\n\nRight Honourable\n\nThe Earl of Carnarvon,\n\nHer Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,\n\nDowning Street.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-179 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 302122, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8]", "page_number": 283, "title": "CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8]", "content_text": "## \n\n230 \n\n13 \n\nof contractors who were compelled to go into bankruptcy. \n\nEach side attached the blame of the failure of the works to the other, each had recourse to litigation and complicated claims and counter-claims were filed by both simultaneously, so that the whole question became at once involved in a maze of technicalities in which the matter came to a complete stand still after groping about helplessly for several months. Sometime before this, I had advised the learned Judges, who are always pleased to consult me in cases of the kind, to refer the matter to the joint arbitration of Colonel Moggridge, Commanding Royal Engineer at this station, and Major Burton RE, both engineers of high professional repute, and in the enjoyment of the amplest leisure to devote to such a task. This advice, however, was not followed; the judges preferring to appeal directly to myself, both Sir John Imale and Mr Justice Knowden asserting that unless I took the case in hand, it must drag on for years in Court and that the whole of the $70,000 under litigation must inevitably be swallowed up by the lawyers on both sides, leaving nothing for their unfortunate clients. Under the circumstances, it appeared to me a duty to assist their Lordships, as I had often done before, and accordingly I accepted the charge, explaining to them at the outset that my investigation...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 305790, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-188 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [5-6]", "page_number": 12, "title": "CO129-188 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [5-6]", "content_text": "# THE HONGKONG Government Gazette EXTRAORDINARY.\n\n**報特門轅港香**\n\nPublished by Authority.\n\n## VICTORIA, MONDAY, 10TE MAY, 1880.\n\n**日二初月四年辰庚日十初月五年十八百八千一簿六十二第**\n\n### No. 19.\n\n**號九十第**\n\n## PRINCE HEINRICH OF PRUSSIA AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.\n\n**子世理開國布大署督總港香在**\n\n### UNVEILING THE PORTRAIT OF THE PRINCE CONSORT.\n\nOn the 7th of May, His Excellency Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G., and Lady Hennessy gave a State luncheon in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Heinrich of Prussia, who, with Baron von Seckendorff, had been for some days on a visit at Government House. Later in the afternoon a large number of the community attended an \"At Home\" and were presented to the Prince.\n\nThe guests who had the honour of meeting the Prince at luncheon were: His Honor the Chief Justice Sir John Smale, and Lady Smale, Commodore Smith, R.N., H.M.S. Victor Emanuel, Hon. Colonel Hall, R.A., (Commanding H.M. Troops), and Mrs. Hall, Captain McLean, H.I.M.S. Prinz Adalbert, Captain East, R.N., H.M.S. Comus, Hon. Captain Denison, R.N., H.M.S. Encounter, Commander Koester, H.I.M.S. Prinz Adalbert, Commander Schering, H.I.M.S. Luise, Deputy Surgeon-General Mackinnon, C.B., Deputy Inspector-General Breen, R.N., and Mrs. Breen, Lieutenant-Colonel Geddes, 27th Inniskillings, and Mrs. Geddes, Hon. E.L. O'Malley, Attorney General, Hon. M.S. Ton-Nocar, Colonial Treasurer, Hon. Ng Choy, Member of the Legislative Council, Major Papillon, Commanding Royal Engineers, Major Huskisson, Military Secretary, Major Hales, 27th Inniskillings, Mr. Kempermann, Vice-Consul for Germany.\n\n**擊許第二十七髒步兵遊擊希大德副領事鉗歐參贊展次首照小王親夫先主君英大者港數師世讌頗員天建子港貝弁紳商敬謁世子世子蓋世子偕同男爵數天是日嚥罷下午香師建訥停驂督經已布署星水代燕男開國制提方家軍督兼總英英五月初七日理水陸軍務水師提督總督香港等處地方兼夫人大英以馬內利兵船總統史總管香港營參府兼議政局員何與其奶奶大德亞伯兵舶總統大英諸客赴席陪世子同享福宴者有若廉訪師大人與其客頌揚大布國開理兵參將紀與其奶奶律政司兼議政局員柯庫務司兼麥大人督理營醫副醫官卑與其奶奶第二十七營步與其夫人在署代國家歌武士兵舶參將伊大英演觀打兵舶參將田大德亞定例局員湯定例局員伍叙軍工遊巴罃務處遊他伯兵舶參將蓋大德魯衣士兵參將佘總管醫官**\n\nThe translation of the Chinese text is not provided as per the instructions. The text is preserved as-is.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-188 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 309061, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7]", "page_number": 401, "title": "CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7]", "content_text": "397\n\nExtract from Minutes of the\n\nExecutive Council.\n\n23rd December 1899.\n\nPresent\n\nHis Excellency the Governor.\n\nHis Excellency Major-General Commanding, the Troops, Donovans.\n\nThe Hon'ble the Colonial Secretary.\n\nThe Hon'ble the Acting Attorney General, et Russell.\n\nThe Hon'ble J. M. Price.\n\n\"It is agreed that the requisite papers with the Surveyor General's latest report upon the Case be forwarded to Colonel Stuart Commanding Royal Engineers for his opinion.\n\nThe hearing of the Case having been of considerable interest and having then been of opinion that the laws provide for arbitration...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 309062, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7]", "page_number": 402, "title": "CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7]", "content_text": "398\n\nRE\n\nColonial Secretary to Colonel Stuart\n\nNo 1626\n\nColonial Secretary's Office\n\nHong Kong 20th December\n\nI am directed by His Excellency the Governor to request you to favour him with your opinions on the accompanying papers regarding the \"Caze\" that you have taken a personal interest in. His Excellency is aware that you have taken a personal interest in this case, and has been informed by the Surveyor General dated the 9th September.\n\nColonel Stuart, Commanding Royal Engineers", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 309070, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7]", "page_number": 410, "title": "CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7]", "content_text": "RE Colonial Secretary to Clerk Stewart R.E.\n\n406.\n\n4o 32.\n\nSir,\n\nI am directed by His Excellency the Governor to convey his best thanks for your report on the Condition of the Coastguard papers.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) W. N. March. Colonial Secretary\n\nColonel Stuart Commanding Royal Engineers.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 309725, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9]", "page_number": 386, "title": "CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9]", "content_text": "383\n\nfor the\n\nHennessy, before he left the colony, - appointed a Committee, for purpose referred to in the telegram, consisting of six members namely, Lieutenant Colonel L. F. Hall, Royal Artillery, Commandant of the Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel I. A. Papillon, Commanding Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Colonel A. D. Geddes, Commanding the 1st Royal Enniskillings Fusiliers, Commander I. G. Jones, Royal Navy, of Her Majesty's Ship Victor Emanuel, Mr. W. M. Deane, late Acting Colonial Treasurer and Captain Superintendent of Police and Acting Colonial Secretary and myself, with Captain Bury, Royal Artillery, Acting Assistant Military Secretary, as Secretary\n\n2.\n\nI attended one meeting of the Committee but on the departure of the Governor I ceased to do so as I considered it undesirable to remove Lieutenant Colonel Hall from the Chairmanship which I should have been obliged to do if I had attended the Committee after having become Administrator.\n\n3.\n\nThe Members are engaged at present in visiting the various localities recommended for forts and also the various points round the island where an enemy might effect a landing\n\n4.\n\n{\n\n2\n\n1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326038, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "page_number": 73, "title": "CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10]", "content_text": "## \n14.\n\n13. 70\n\nActing Colonial Secretary to the Surveyor General\n\nColonial Secretary's Office, \n(Copy)\n\nNo. 804\n\nHong Kong, 13th April, 1884.\n\nI am directed by His Excellency Sir George Bowen to request you to place yourself in communication with the Colonel Commanding the Royal Engineers respecting the subject treated of in the Assistant Military Secretary's letter of the 12th instant, and generally respecting lands reserved for Military purposes. It would be very desirable to ascertain positively if any portion of those lands will certainly not be required.\n\nThe Honourable \nThe Surveyor General", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-217 - Governor Sir Bowen Administrator Marsh - 1884 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 327986, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "page_number": 364, "title": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "content_text": "be referred to the War Office for approval.\n\n(Signed) E. Walker, Colonel\nCommand J Royal Engineers\n\"Hong Kong, 21st January 1885.\n\n\"True Copy\n\n\"\n\n(Signed) F. M. Lloyd, Major R.E.\nfor\nAsst. Military Secretary:\n\n(Copy)\n\n1127.\n\nColonial Secretary's Office,\n362\nHong Kong, 5th February, 1885.\n\nREGD 11 APR 85\n\nWith reference to your letter No. 492 of the 27 ult., on the subject of Marine Lot 260, 261 & 262, I am directed by the Governor in Council to request you to ask His Excellency the General Commanding to be good enough to forward to His Excellency, the Governor a copy of the Despatch which he proposes to send to the War Office with regard to this matter. In the meantime, I am to ask you to be good enough to return the sketch enclosed in your letter W158 of the 19th ult., for my correction of the discrepancy in the numbers of the Lok to which the...\n\nThe Asst. Military Secretary,\nCommanding...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328145, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "page_number": 523, "title": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "content_text": "No 131.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nC.O. 7440\n**RECP**\nREGE 27 APR 85\n519\n\nGovernment House,\nHong Kong, 20 March, 1885.\n\nI have the honour to report that Lieutenant-General Sargent, C.B., has shown me a scheme proposed by Colonel Walker, Commanding the Royal Engineers here on the instructions of the Right Honourable The Earl of Derby, K.G.,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328317, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "page_number": 92, "title": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "content_text": "# 3\n91\n\nVarious matters connected with them, I have the honour to report that, as the supplies of provisions at Hongkong are received mainly from Canton, and as contradictory reports respecting the state of affairs were spread here, I determined to proceed thither myself incognito, accompanied by General Cameron, Commanding Her Majesty's Military Forces, and by Colonel Walker, who is in command of the Royal Engineers on this Station.\n\n2. Accordingly, we proceeded to Canton by one of the ordinary river steamers on the 18th, and returned to Hong Kong on the 20th instant. I have given full accounts in former despatches of `104/63/83`, `W. 47` of May 3, 1883, and `27` of Jany. 29, March 18, 11.\n\n# By January 1984\n# 81\n\n# \n1680,54\n762906\n\nTypically, the national character of the cities of China is maintained. Although a strong guard of Chinese regular soldiers is still maintained for the protection of the European quarter, which was attacked and partly burnt...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328454, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "page_number": 229, "title": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "content_text": "to acknowledge the receipt on the instant of your Lordship's telegram to the following effect :-\n\n\"Her Majesty's Government consider that there would be no advantage gained by a direct submarine cable in the present emergency commensurate with the necessary expenditure of the annual payment required.\n\nI herewith forward, for Your Lordship's consideration, a modified scheme for a submarine cable, free from foreign interference. This scheme is submitted by Colonel Walker, Commanding the Royal Engineers at this Station, through Cameron, R.E.\n\nI am not in a position to offer any opinion as to the feasibility of Colonel Walker's scheme; but Your Lordship may probably consider it worthy of reference to the Chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company (Mr Pender, M.P.); for, if practicable, it would gain a line which should not touch foreign territory, or be subject to foreign control, and secure the advantages of direct communication with...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328634, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "page_number": 409, "title": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "content_text": "16\n\n\n4887\n\nbeg permission to refer.\n\n10.\n\nmy\n\nJam\n\nIt will be seen from (Enclosure) letter to General Cameron that I am ready to adopt his suggestion that a Defence Committee or Conference should be appointed, consisting of the Governor, as President; of the Admiral, and General Commanding Her Majesty's Naval and Military Forces on this station; of the Commodore; of the Officers Commanding the Royal Engineers and the Royal Artillery; and of any other Naval and Military Officer, whose presence may be considered desirable. There can be no doubt that, among other advantages, a Committee of this nature with merely consultative powers, would have the effect of securing greater uniformity and permanence in the general plan of Defence. It is notorious in all the stations of the British Army that almost every new Colonel Commanding the Royal Engineers is inclined to adopt a fresh scheme of his own invention.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 329229, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-223 - Governor Sir Bowen Acting Governor Marsh & Others - 1885 [11-12]", "page_number": 8, "title": "CO129-223 - Governor Sir Bowen Acting Governor Marsh & Others - 1885 [11-12]", "content_text": "## Enclosure\n\nPage 7\n\nit would be desirable that I should receive information respecting it?\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour Most Obedient Humble Servant,\n**5. Bowen**\n\n## Minute by the Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers addressed to the Major General Commanding the Troops**\n\n`21160` \nHis IRE? \n`(LA! 7 DEC 85)`\n\nWith reference to the enquiries of His Excellency the Governor as to the progress of the Works of Defence under the Colonial Contribution, I have the honour to report that they are progressing as fairly as can be expected, considering the late extraordinary spring weather. On fine days we have about 800 civilians employed (in addition to Sappers, etc.) and this number will be increased as soon as permission is received from War Office to proceed with the works at Stonecutters, West Central, and Fly Point. But, in order that the work done may be useful...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-223 - Governor Sir Bowen Acting Governor Marsh & Others - 1885 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 339301, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7]", "page_number": 737, "title": "CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7]", "content_text": "# 759 \n## 17431 \n### 31 AUG 39) \n#### No. 225. \n\n**MY LORD,**\n\nGOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 15th July, 1889.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's Despatch No. 128 of the 7th ultimo transmitting copy of a letter containing recommendations by Sir R. RAWLINSON \"as to the carrying out of the works of distribution of the water supply,\" together with a copy of a private letter from him on the same subject.\n\n2. I observe that Sir R. RAWLINSON strongly recommends that these works should be executed under his control, in the same way as important public works in other Colonies have been executed by a Resident Engineer of special qualifications selected by him to be appointed for the purpose, and that he suggests Mr. OSBERT CHADWICK, C.M.G., for the duty—and I observe also that Your Lordship in accepting this recommendation, suggests further that Mr. CHADWICK should, in addition to the duty in question, undertake the charge and execution of the proposed new drainage works of Victoria also under the supervision of Sir R. RAWLINSON.\n\n3. In the last paragraph of the Despatch in question Your Lordship intimates that you would be glad to learn with as little delay as possible that I concur in these proposals, and suggests that I should communicate with you by telegraph.\n\n4. Regarding the subject as one of very great importance, I brought Your Lordship's Despatch to the notice of the Executive Council (of which I may remark that Mr. BROWN, the Surveyor General, is not a member) at a meeting which was fortunately attended by Colonel STORER, Commanding Royal Engineer, acting in command of the Troops in the absence of Major-General EDWARDS.\n\n5. After full consideration of the subject with the assistance of the Council, I with their concurrence, found myself unable to accept Sir R. RAWLINSON's recommendations, and felt it my duty to forward to you by telegraph the following message:- \n\"Referring to your Despatch No. 128 (I am) convinced that (there will be) serious difficulties in proposition. Despatch follows by mail. May I suggest consultation with (Mr.) PRICE (who is) in England. (I) am about to propose considerable increase of Assistant Engineers.\"\n\n6. It becomes, therefore, my duty to give Your Lordship my reasons for the view thus indicated, and I now proceed to do so.\n\n7. I may observe, in limine, that being somewhat surprised by the tone of Sir R. RAWLINSON's communications to the Crown Agents I made enquiries as to his \n\n**The Right Honourable** \n**THE LORD KNUTSFORD, G.C.M.G.,** \n&c., \n&c. \n&c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-241 - Governor Des Voeus - 1889 [1-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 340686, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889", "content_text": "No. 78951\n\nIt is requested that in any further communication on this subject, the above Number may be quoted; and the Letter addressed to-\nUnder Secretary of State for War,\nWar Office,\nPall Mall, London (S.W.)\n\nT6094\nCO. 411\n20534\n\nWAR OFFICE,\n17 October 1889\n\nSir,\n\nIn reference to the letter from this Office of 12 August last, and previous correspondence, 78951, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit herewith for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of letter received from the General Officer Commanding the Troops in China stating that he had sanctioned the employment of Lieutenant Colonel A. Champernowne, Royal Engineers under the Colonial Government up to the 10 September 1889.\n\nI have the honor to be,\nYour obedient servant,\nDayle ... pom\n\nThe Under Secretary of State\nfor the Colonies, Colonial Office, S.W.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 340687, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889", "page_number": 416, "title": "CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889", "content_text": "2955\n\nC. O. 80534\n\nFrom the General Officer Commanding the Troops\n\nin\n\nChina\n\nTo The Adjutant General to the Forces\n\nWar Office London.\n\nHead Quarters. Hongkong\n\n11 Sept. 1889.\n\nSir,\n\nWith reference to my No. 2910.\n\nof the 29 August\n\nI have the honour to inform you\n\nthat the Colonial Government have applied for the services of Lieut: Colonel Champernowne Royal Engineers, up to the 10 September, the day before he sails for England.\n\nThe first mail steamer by which Colonel Champernowne could leave, sails on the 11 September, there would be no advantage in his rejoining for military duty for a few days.\n\nI have accordingly sanctioned his employment under the Colonial Government up to the 10 instant. I have the honour to report this for approval.\n\nI have to\n\nW. Carter Colonel on the Staff R.A.\n\nfor General\n\nCommanding Troops in China", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 342696, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9]", "page_number": 311, "title": "CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9]", "content_text": "tated the amount required. Sterling and also in Dollars. Taking for instance the year 1886, the requisitions were for $217,901.45,\n\nand the amount given papers in Sterling\n\nthe\n\nsame-\n\n£39,230. 0. His Excellency is therefore unable to\n\naccept as\n\nbinding\n\non the Colonial Government the Memorandum put forward over four years ~\n\nafterwards by the Colonel Commanding the Royal Engineers that the Sterling only equivalent was £35,315.9.10.\n\nstated in a Memorandum of May 13, 1890 by the Commanding Royal Engineer)\n\nHad the requisitions only contained certain sums in dollars this last contention might have had some force, but when it is noted that the vouchers containing the amounts in dollars endorsed in Sterling are by the Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers and the Chief Paymaster for China, and are ~ forwarded by the Assistant Military Secretary by direction of His Excellency the Major General Commanding, for the information of the Governor, His Excellency is not prepared at this late date, without the authority of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to allow the accounts for the last Government six years to be re-opened:\n\n4.\n\nAt variance with the above, it is directed from Government to add that the Colonial Government has accepted without question the rate of exchange used by the Military Authorities when they have had to disburse to the Colonial Government the equivalent in dollars of sums specified to be paid in Sterling.\n\nI have re.\n\nSof. H. M. Deane.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-246 - Acting Governor Fleming - 1890 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 347093, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12]", "page_number": 109, "title": "CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12]", "content_text": "108 \n\nIn the meantime I have the honour to give you notice that I shall hold you responsible for any injury done to the property of the War Department by the removal of the retaining wall, or any other measures taken by you.\n\nI have the honor to be, \nGentlemen, \nYour obedient Servant, \n(Sd.) \nA. T. STORER, \nColonel, \nC. R. E.\n\nMessrs. SHARP & Co., \nHongkong.\n\nHon. FREDERICK STEWART, L.L.D., \nSir, \nActing Colonial Secretary. \nHongkong, \n17th March, 1887.\n\nWe beg to enclose for the information of the Government copy correspondence which has passed between Col. STORER, Commanding Royal Engineers, and ourselves upon the subject of the occupation by the War Department of the Public Road bounding Inland Lot No. 674 to the South.\n\nIn the name of our Principals we beg to protest against the same as a most serious injury to the value of this property.\n\nWe have the honor to be, \nSir, \nYour obedient Servants, \n(Sd) SHARP & Co.\n\nGentlemen, \nRoyal Engineer's Office, Hongkong, 23rd March, 1887.\n\nWith reference to my letter to you of the 16th instant and your reply of the 17th instant, I am very much surprised to hear that you (apparently without adopting my suggestion that you should represent to the Colonial Government any claim you might consider you had to a road at the back of Lot 674) removed a portion of the retaining wall, so as to make a communication between the above Lot and the War Department property.\n\nThe removal of this portion of wall has caused some of the War Department Land above to fall in, and if not speedily rectified will do further damage. I have therefore to request that you will at once... \n\n23", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 347094, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12]", "page_number": 110, "title": "CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12]", "content_text": "109\n\nI request you to rebuild this piece of wall, failing which I shall hold you responsible for all damage which may ensue to the property of the War Department as stated in my letter of the 16th instant.\n\nPending the rebuilding of this wall by you, I have given orders that the opening is to be boarded up, and any attempt on your part to enter upon the property of the War Department resisted.\n\nI am, Gentlemen,\n\nYour most obedient Servant,\n\n**(Sd.) A. T. STORER,**\n\n**Colonel,**\n\n**C. R. F. China and S. S.**\n\nMessrs. SHARP & Co.,\n\nHongkong.\n\nHongkong,\n\n24th March, 1887.\n\n**Colonel STORER,**\n\n**Commanding Royal Engineers.**\n\nSir,\n\nWe beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd inst. and in reply to state that you are mistaken in supposing that we failed to communicate with the Colonial Government upon the matter referred to. We had already forwarded to them a copy of the Correspondence, which had passed between us. As, however, we have received no reply, we shall be obliged by your furnishing us with a tracing showing the land to the South of Inland Lot No. 674 mentioned in your letter of the 16th as having been handed over to the War Department by the Colonial Government, with the boundary stones marked thereon as placed with the consent of the Honorable the Surveyor General.\n\nWe are, Sir,\n\nYour obedient Servants,\n\n**(Sd.) SHARP & Co.,**\n\n**Agents for Owners of Inland Lot No. 674.**\n\nRoyal Engineer's Office, Hongkong, 25th March, 1887.\n\nIn reply to your letter of 24th instant, I see no necessity to furnish the tracing you refer to, as the matter is no doubt being enquired into by the Colonial Government.\n\nI am, Gentlemen,\n\nYour obedient Servant,\n\n**(Sd.) A. T. STORER,**\n\n**Colonel,**\n\n**C. R. E. China and S. S.**\n\nMessrs. SHARP & Co.,\n\nHongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 347095, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12]", "page_number": 111, "title": "CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12]", "content_text": "## Colonel STORER, \n## Commanding Royal Engineers. \n\nSir, \n\nHongkong, \n26th March, 1887. \n\n110 \n\nWe beg to acknowledge your letter of yesterday, and in further reply to yours of the 23rd instant, we regret that we are unable to concur in your expressed wish that we should forthwith close up the gateway which was erected by our Principals some 20 years ago, or that they should abandon the right of using the public road by which their Lot is bounded. \n\nWe are, Sir, \nYour obedient Servants, \n(Sd) **SHARP & Co.** \n25", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 355473, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12]", "page_number": 458, "title": "CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12]", "content_text": "and in the other corps which assisted. It was noble work and I think the men did their work most nobly. (Applause). Every man worked hard and gallantly; I never had to find fault with a single man. The pieces of plate which have been presented to us will be valuable mementoes to record the good work of the men in this Battalion and in the Royal Engineers and other corps who have done their duty and maintained the honourable names handed down to them by their predecessors in the different corps. (Applause). Whenever we look at these pieces of plate, it will be an incentive to all of us to do our duty and to work hard wherever duty calls, in whatever colony or in whatever place we may have to serve. The plague time was a trying period for the colony, and I hope the new year will bring success and happiness and prosperity to the colony and community and will also bring health and happiness to your Excellency. The silver shield will be much appreciated by the sergeants. Nothing better could have been given to the men than the football cup, which will encourage a love for healthy sports and recreations in the Regiment, That football cup will be played for every year, and I will see, so long as I am with the Regiment, that the men are not allowed to forget the reason why it was presented to us, and that the winning team shall have a dinner or something of that kind every year in memory of it. With reference to the piece of plate presented to the Royal Engineers, I am quite sure Colonel Mulloy and Lieut. Boys will write themselves to thank the Colony. I know personally that Lieut. Boys worked hard the whole time of the plague. But we must not forget that many others had to work hard who were not actually engaged in plague work in the city. The medical officers assisted me in every way, and if it had not been for their energy and kindness there would have been a great deal more sickness amongst the men, and to the Medical Staff of the Civil Hospital and the Sisters the Regiment owes a deep debt of gratitude for the care and attention they paid to the late Capt. Vesey and the other men who suffered from the plague. On behalf of Mrs. Vesey, I thank you for doing a very kind and thoughtful deed in sending this gold medal to her. Her son was beloved by her. He had a good property, but his love for his Regiment kept him out here when he might have gone home. I beg to thank you on behalf of Mrs. Vesey and the Regiment for perpetuating his memory by erecting a tablet in St. John's Cathedral, and also convey my thanks to the Colony for the kindness they have shown the men not only now but during the plague by coming forward to give the men the comforts which helped to keep them in good health and good spirits during their trying work. I thank you for presenting myself with a piece of plate, which I shall always treasure as a valuable relic. It will always be an honourable record of the kindly feeling of the Colony to my Regiment and of the good work done by the officers and men under my command. (Loud applause).\n\nOn the call of the Acting Chief Justice three cheers were heartily given by the spectators for the officers and men.\n\nColonel Robinson then called for three cheers for the Governor. He said they wished His Excellency all success and happiness, and for the colony success and good luck.\n\nAt 11.30 the troops filed away, the Engineers leading, and the Band playing \"Till death,” thus ending this memorable and beautiful ceremony.\n\nTo the list of officers mentioned and thanked by the Governor should be added the name of Captain Murray, A.D.C. to the Major-General Commanding. The Committee have recognised the very laborious and useful work performed by Captain Murray, and will duly convey their thanks to him. We are authorized to state that had he been in the colony his name would have been included in his Excellency's list.\n\nIn connection with the medals to be presented we have gathered the following interesting details: There will be 695 silver medals and 46 gold ones. The Committee have offered a prize of £10 for the best design, and the details of the competition are to be arranged by Mr. Allan Wyon, the leading steel die-engraver at the London Mint. The determination of the successful design and the award for the same are to be made jointly by Mr. Wyon and Mr. J. M. Price, the late Surveyor General of Hongkong. The medal will be the size of an American gold dollar and will be stamped on the reverse side with the following inscription: \"Presented by the Hongkong community to — (the name will here be engraved) for services rendered during the plague of 1894.\" The gold medals will be in cases and the silver ones punched with a hole and swung on a ribbon. The Committee have also applied to the home authorities for permission for the soldiers to wear these medals, and have reason to hope that such will be granted.\n\nPage 403", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 360672, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9]", "page_number": 163, "title": "CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9]", "content_text": "## Unveiling Ceremony of Queen Victoria's Statue\n\nThe City Hall, and other buildings on the Praya were crowded with spectators, while great masses of spectators were seen outside the enclosure right back to Queen's Road. It is computed that fully fifteen thousand spectators witnessed the unveiling ceremony. The military, to the number of considerably over two thousand, were placed in position to receive His Excellency, the colours of the Hong Kong Regiment being placed at the entrance to the passage down the ranks at Wardley Street.\n\nAs far as the contour of the ground would allow, the troops were drawn up in line formation (open order), commencing on the right with the Royal Navy; then followed the Royal Marines, Royal Artillery, Hong Kong Artillery (Asiatic Companies), Royal Engineers, including Chinese Company, Hong Kong Regiment, and the Rifle Brigade. The Field Battery of the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps and a Battery of Asiatic Artillery were accommodated on the Cricket Ground, and the Hong Kong Maxim Gun Company and the Maxim guns of the Rifle Brigade and the Hong Kong Regiment were drawn up near the Praya Reclamation Office.\n\nRepresentatives from every Regiment in the Colony were arranged with very pretty effect at the base of the statue.\n\nA few minutes before 6.30 the blast of a bugle announced the arrival of H.E. the Governor. The Governor, accompanied by Captain Sterling, A.D.C., and his native Aide-de-camp,—preceded by Captain A.P. Weiman, A.S.C., who acted as orderly officer—walked through the ranks, the whole of the troops shouldering arms. The troops were in command of Colonel Anstey, Commanding Royal Engineers, in the absence of Major-General Black. When His Excellency reached the Grand Stand, the Royal Standard was unfurled on the flag post at the Grand Stand. His Excellency was received by the Hon. C.P. Chater, as Chairman of the Jubilee Committee, and was escorted to the platform in front of the statue by the Hon. J.H. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary (Hon. Secretary to the Committee), Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Hoa, T.H. Whitehead, Hon. E.R. Belilios, Commodore Boyes, R.N., Mr. F.R. Waymouth, R.N., Mr. T. Jackson, Mr. A.P. MacEwen, Mr. J.J. Francis, Q.C., Mr. H.N. Mody, &c., &c. Upon arrival at the platform, Mr. Chater called upon His Excellency to unveil the statue, the spectators on the Grand Stand standing with uncovered heads whilst the speeches, unfortunately inaudible beyond a small circle, were being delivered.\n\nThe Hon. C.P. Chater said: Your Excellency: As Chairman of the Jubilee Committee, and on behalf of the Community of the Colony, I have the great honour of asking you to meet us to-day for the purpose of unveiling the Statue of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. I need not enlarge upon the interest, the fervent and loyal interest, which the residents of this Island take in this ceremonial. I need not state that we are met together to discharge a most unusual and exceptional function. I need hardly remind you, sir, that the event which has given birth to these proceedings is one which, only a few years ago, stirred to the depths the hearts of the British race in every quarter of the world, for was not that great the Jubilee of Our Most Gracious Sovereign? If any proof were needed of the feeling which dominates us at this moment, I would ask you to look at this concourse of Her Majesty's subjects, gathered here to offer their loyal and respectful homage to the Throne. I would ask you to look at the Representatives of the other Powers, who, with fellow-subjects of theirs, who are resident here, have come to do honour to this auspicious event.\n\nYour Excellency, as we all know, Her Majesty's Jubilee occurred in the year 1887, and it will perhaps be not unfitting if I mention the reason why this Statue has not been erected before. It was not because Hong Kong was one whit behind other British Colonies in wishing to prove its dutiful regard for Her who reigns over us; it was not because we did not desire to have in our midst a Memento of the Ruler to whom we owe allegiance. No, Sir. It was because we recognised that such a Statue as this should be placed in an appropriate and conspicuous spot, a spot worthy, if that could be so, by its very position to do honour to the occasion, and until this great work, this reclamation on which we are now standing, was practically finished, we had no such place to offer. Under your Government, this portion of the reclamation has now been happily accomplished, and here in this commanding position, in the best part of this City, named after our Queen, we feel that our Statue could find, in all this Island, no more ennobling site.\n\nSir, with the exception of Newfoundland, which was occupied about 1500, it was not until the early part of the 17th century that Great Britain first began to colonise in earnest. Thenceforward, however, down to the present time, Colony after Colony was acquired, changed by the test existing to-day, her earlier acquisitions were, in the nature of things, comparatively unimportant; but England's Colonies have strengthened with England's strength, and grown with her commercial prosperity and power, until, one Possession after another emerging from its incipient doubts and difficulties, they have gained their present status, and culminated in forging the magnificent chain, which, starting from the Mother Country, now girdles the earth with British soil. Of this chain Hong Kong forms one of the links, a strong and a lasting one, we may be permitted to hope, and to those assembled here, and to you, Sir, as their Governor, it cannot but be interesting to remember that, after Her Majesty's accession to the Throne, this was the first Colony that Great Britain acquired.\n\nYour Excellency, it is not possible to predict from the shadows which the future is casting before what Hong Kong will yet develop into. It is not possible to surmise with any accuracy the part which will ultimately be allotted to her to play in the international theatre of the world. These questions lie in the womb of the future, and the future alone can answer them; but that she is destined to be always an important factor in both Imperial and local concerns, I for one have no doubt whatever. Such is her natural position, lying, as she does, on the fringe of the adjacent Empire; such is her mercantile value, being, as she is, the Eastern gate through which must pass the commerce of the West, that it is hardly too much to believe that she must of necessity always constitute an element to be carefully and fully weighed.\n\nGreat and important movements have lately taken place in the Far East, possibly greater and more important changes yet are even now in contemplation which will enforce the gravest attention of Diplomacy, and Her Majesty's Government, in its decision upon those events, in its determination of the path to pursue, can hardly omit Hong Kong from its serious consideration. In saying this, I do not forget that her place in the Colonies of the Crown, if won in some part by her own vigour, is largely due to her standing in line with those other Colonies which together constitute the Brotherhood known to-day as Greater Britain.\n\nSir, in the evolution of time, generation will succeed generation in Hong Kong, new firms will arise, new projects will be formed; new personalities will seek to advance the Colony's influence and promote her enterprise, long after names, familiar enough now, have vanished into ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 369433, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-288 - Public Offices & Others - 1898", "page_number": 21, "title": "CO129-288 - Public Offices & Others - 1898", "content_text": "## \nthe night before American citizens, when they arose in the morning claimed their rights as British subjects, to die for the old flag and the bloated monarchy. After the Americans were men who had spent their lives amongst us, had intermarried with us--had a community of language, literature, religion, thought and interest, and as it seemed good and natural to them to die with us, we acquiesced. Old Lunt, their Consul, had early betaken himself to the battle of Deep Water Bay, being careful to explain that he was impelled thereto purely from old professional interest, being anxious to witness a practical test of the new weapons of precision that differed so materially from the arms in use some thirty odd years ago, when he too had been a soldier (on the losing side), that he appeared in a private capacity at a scene that strictly speaking might by some be considered as somewhat beside his rigidly professional sphere. It must therefore have been enthusiasm for professional research that induced him to experiment from behind a rock for about an hour and a half with a dead Pathan's rifle and some couple of hundred cartridges. In spite of scals, the Americans cast in their lot with us.\n\nThe southern face of the hills all along was scarped as well as time would allow, right along to the Gap, where the Quarry Bay Sanitarium stood. The Sanitarium itself was not occupied, as it could be destroyed by artillery fire from the sea, but a couple of Nordenfelts were placed, one on each side, on convenient emplacements, a hundred feet or so above the saddle. The road below to the Reservoir being blown up.\n\n## \nAt a Council of War, held at Headquarter offices at 8 a.m., General White expressed the opinion (proved to be correct by after events) that the attack delivered had been premature, and it would be renewed when the enemy was reinforced. Their deliberations resulted in the defence of the Kowloon Peninsula being intrusted to Colonel Ricardo and three hundred men of his own regiment, with the Gunners of the forts. He was given an Engineer officer, Tundall, to carry out his plans, blow up houses, throw up earthworks, &c.-a very free hand, but was at the same time clearly informed he had only himself to rely on; his force could not be augmented. Col. Yardhill and the Engineers were to fortify the crest of the hills in the island; they arose to place in position the 40-pounder Armstrongs B. L of the `Victor` which had been hoisted out and landed after the despatch of the torpedo flotilla, and were now being dragged up by hundreds of coolies to various points. As truck guns they were fairly handy, and it was hoped that their heavier metal would keep down the enemy's fire (which our seven-pounders had been utterly unable to accomplish), as well as make it dangerous for his troop-ships to approach. The `Swift` and `Rattler` had been despatched at 7 a.m. to Tytam. Look-outs and signal-men were placed on all suitable points, even to the crests of the hills overlooking Mirs Bay, and signals were arranged both for night and day.\n\nThe Wongneichong Gap Road and Wanchai Gap Roads, and the Mount Gough and Pokfolum reservoir roads were blown away for large sections, particularly near where they debouched on the hills. Earthworks were thrown up at all the Gaps. Shelter trenches were dug, and a parapet run as far as possible along the whole line.\n\n## \nTress and brush etc. in front cut down and burnt, and as far as practicable all obstacles in front to the fire of the Defenders cleared away, blown up and undermined and rolled down. Pokfolum Gap was blocked with a wall of stone and the roadway in front blown up.\n\nMore than 20,000 men (inclusive of the burial parties, who had finished by 10 a.m.) were at work-all that intrenching tools could be got for. All the civil engineers, Teigh, Lemon, Benison, Ham, and Temm, with their overseers, were assisting the Engineers and the Public Works Department Staffs, superintending sections of the line; still the scarcity of Royal Engineers much retarded the work, and the inconvenience of the loss of the men and officers of this corps killed in the morning was greatly felt. The bulk of the heavy guns (40 ponders) were placed at Wongneichong Gap to command Deep Water Bay, and on the left by the cross wall to fire down what had been the Tytam Road; four also were placed in position at Pokfolum Gap, two in Victoria Gap, two on the 'Haicenda commanding Aberdeen, and one at the Military Sanitarium.\n\nThe road to Tytam was blocked just at the crest in the Wongneichong Gap by a wall of stone, and the roadway itself just beyond where it dipped blown away for about thirty yards to form the fosse.\n\n## \n...the stock of food found in the town--not much more than three weeks' supply of flour, and less than that of tinned and salted meats. The live stock at the depots was only about three days' supply. The stores of rice in the godowns were also found to be much depleted. Neither were the Naval supplies, except of spirits, large, especially if besides the garrison the civil population had to be rationed. Borges therefore ventured to suggest to General White that greater economy should be exercised, for the wily old Scotchman had astonished all the Staff by the liberality, not to say absolute extravagance, of supplies he was ordering up, so foreign to his usual pawky, not to say niggardly expenditure of government stores. In his own private expenditure he was a liberal old gentleman. When remonstrated with he only laughed harshly, remarking that there was plenty for our time; his fellows should have full bellies if the enemy's went empty, Danin them! The old man still stuck to his cuss-words, though he too did not believe in the morrow.\n\nThe Home Guard provisioned themselves, and the Committee saw to it; it was done right royally. Tommy Atkins was in clover, for the civilians, the great bulk of the men in the lines, shared cheerfully. It was `Largo luoigens`, obtained from the Docks, Tommy's day if a short one, for, as Rudyard Kipling had it, \n\n\"It's walk up, Mr Atkins, when the band begins to play.\"\n\nThe band had begun to play. All day long launches, guarded by armed Englishmen, had been towing over cargo-boats full of Chinese women and children to Samshui-po, and all the shopmen, clerks, compradores and long-nailed classes generally were sent across. By evening we had only some 30,000 able-bodied men in the town (Chinese). We intended to keep them to utilise their labour to the last, and we fed and paid them well. The people we had dumped on Chinese soil were given three days' rice each-by that time it would be settled one way or the other.\n\nAmmanition, bedding and baggage of all descriptions was going up to the works in all directions. Tents and matsheds were springing up along the whole line. It was as if the whole city was out on one vast picnic. Colonel Borges, who was in charge of the Commissariat, was much alarmed at the smallness of the stock...\n\nWhilst the guns of the `Victor` were being hoisted out, the `Swift` and `Rattler` were...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-288 - Public Offices & Others - 1898.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 370573, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4]", "page_number": 174, "title": "CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4]", "content_text": "# Giom 1. \nSong thong by the fact that the opposite Marist and with be under proper police control, it is considered \nthat reductions may be made in the number of police in Hong Kong, and a saving of $13,800 effected.\n\n4. \nIt will be necessary to purchase at once three launches for police purposes. The cost, which is estimated by The Harbour Master, is $80,000. \nI shall address the government on this subject in another despatch. The removal of the Chinese customs launches from the waters of the Colony will leave a coastline of nearly two hundred miles entirely without supervision. It will be absolutely necessary for the security of traffic coming into the vicinity of Hong Kong harbour that these launches be procured with the least possible delay. Pending their acquisition, it will be necessary to hire three launches.\n\n5. \nI have had estimates made of the cost of a trigonometrical survey of the new territory by the Director of Public Works, and also by Colonel Elodale, Commanding Royal Engineers, who has had considerable experience in surveying.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 381273, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "page_number": 801, "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]", "content_text": "M. Stubbs\n\nArticle 5 of the Royal Instructions refers only to the Executive. In the absence of Major General Gascoigne the Colony the next senior officer succeeds him in the Executive and Leg: Councils immed: under the provisions of the Royal Inst: and nothing has to be done: but it is convenient that the Sovereign should report such changes. In the same way, the Acting Treasurer succeeds the Treasurer in both Councils.\n\nMy Sovereign should not have appointed provisionally in either Council. They are ex: officio appointments.\n\nLucas are ex: ...\n\nJou 3/9/01 ach with 30806.\n\nhas Abrians minute Not edi 20.279.\n\nSir,\n\nGovernment House, Hongkong, 30th July, 1901.\n\nI have the honour to report that I have provisionally appointed Colonel Louis Faulkner Brown, of the Corps of Royal Engineers, to be a Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils during the absence on leave of His Excellency Major-General W. J. Gascoigne, Officer commanding the Troops in China and Hongkong.\n\n2. Major-General Gascoigne has been granted leave of absence by the War Office from the 17th instant to the 30th September, 1901, and during his absence the command of Troops devolved on Colonel Brown.\n\n3. In accordance with paragraph 5 of the Royal Instructions, I have the honour to request that His Majesty the King's pleasure regarding the above appointments may be communicated to me in reply.\n\nI have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient Humble servant, Henry Arthur Blake Governor, &c.\n\nTHE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 386107, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12]", "page_number": 187, "title": "CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12]", "content_text": "185\n\n4.\n\nWith regard to paragraph 3 of your Despatch under reference, I have the honour to transmit for your information the enclosed copy of correspondence between the Colonial Secretary and the Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers in China, from which you will observe that Colonel Brown is unwilling to recommend that the War Office should contribute to the expense of moving the Depot unless the Convict Prison is located elsewhere than on Stonecutters' Island. As I cannot recommend that the Prison when built should be located elsewhere, it will be necessary to postpone the removal of the Gunpowder Depôt to Green Island until Colonial funds are available to carry out the project unaided.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour most obedient\nHumble servant,\nHenry May\nGovernor, &c.\n\n# October 1907\n\n## Enclosure 2\nSeptember, 1907\nConfidential letter to \n# October 1907.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 396114, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6]", "page_number": 196, "title": "CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6]", "content_text": "**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\nHongkong.\n\n3 ch.\n\n`C.O. 11134/193`\n\nRe: C APR 35\n\nGovernment House, \nHongkong. 7th March, 1905.\n\nTwo copies separately in the bag.\n\nSir,\n\nReferring to your Despatch No. 287 dated the 30th September, 1904, transmitting for my information copies of correspondence with the War Office in which it was decided that a special Officer should be sent here to endeavour in consultation with myself and the local Military Authorities to arrive at some settlement of the questions at issue with regard to Military Lands in the Colony, and to your telegram of the 19th December informing me that Colonel J. R. Lewis was the Officer selected, I have now the honour to transmit six copies of a Memorandum in which Colonel Lewis, after discussing the matter with the late and present Commanding Royal Engineers and the General Officer Commanding and with the Acting Director of Public Works, the Colonial Secretary and myself and after examining the records that were made available to him in the Military and Colonial Offices, has submitted a complete list of all the lands over which the War Department has claimed rights, explaining the status of each of them and the manner in which it is recommended that this status should be confirmed or modified, together with detailed explanations of the methods of dealing with those sites that have been the subject of dispute. Appended to the Memorandum is a statement of the Military Lands Account as it will stand when the proposals are accepted.\n\n2.\n\nThe Memorandum concedes the principle for which this Government has always contended that the reservation of lands...\n\n**The Right Honourable** \n**Alfred Lyttelton, K.C., M.P.,** \n&c.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 405209, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "page_number": 404, "title": "CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7]", "content_text": "## CAMP OF INSTRUCTION, ANNUAL CAMP, AND COMPETITIONS\n\n17. The Officers and Staff Sergeants carried out revolver practice, and Table VIII shows the high average obtained.\n\n18. The Annual Camp was held at Stonecutters' Island from October 14th to October 30th, 1905—a period of 16 days instead of 10 days as recommended in my report last year, and I attach a complete copy of my report on the Camp. (Appendix `...`)\n\n## COMPETITIONS\n\n19. The following inter-unit Competitions took place during the year:--\n\n(1) His Excellency the Governor's Efficiency Cup. The marks were allotted as in 1905, except that 2 marks were given for each efficient. This was again won by Right Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., mainly owing to the good marks obtained under the head musketry. The following is the order of Efficiency:\n| Rank | Unit | O.C. |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | Right Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A. | Captain ARMSTRONG |\n| 2 | Left Half No. 2 | |\n| 3 | Left Half No. 1 | |\n| 4 | Right Half No. 1 | |\n\n(2) The Blake Musketry Shield, for teams of 8 from each Unit, took place on April 29th, 1905, and was won for the fourth time in succession by Left Half No. 1 Company, H.K.V.A.\n\n(3) The Sanders Cup, presented by Captain SANDERS, a former Officer of the H.K.V.A., was competed for by the Artillery Units at 15-pdr. B.L. gun Drill on January 13th, 1906, and was won by the Left Half No. 1 Company, H.K.V.A., (Acting O.C., Lieutenant GUBBAY).\n\n(4) The Gascoigne Shield for Maxim Gun Practice was fired for on February 24th, 1906, and was won after a close competition by Left Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., (O.C., Captain SKINNER) with 197 points—Right Half No. 2 Company, H.K.V.A., (O.C., Captain ARMSTRONG) being 2nd with 193 points.\n\n(5) The members of the Troop took part in an instructive competition consisting of despatch riding in pairs, each pair riding together a certain distance to a given point where one man dismounted and proceeded across country on foot whilst the other led his pony the remainder of the distance, each man then had to fire a fixed number of rounds at a target and also to fill in various roads and places on a blank map against time. The winning pair—Corporal MONOX and Trooper GEDGE—completed the course in excellent time and carried out their duties very well.\n\n20. Bombardier J. MARSHALL won the Corps Rifle Championship.\n\n## MISCELLANEOUS\n\n21. An Ambulance Class was conducted by Lieutenant C. FORSYTH; 7 members presented themselves for examination and all passed.\n\n22. A Semaphore Signalling Class was formed during the Summer months, and 7 members of the Corps passed a satisfactory examination, being able to send and receive messages at a fair pace.\n\n23. The Corps took part in the King's Birthday parade in conjunction with the remainder of the Garrison on November 9th, 1905.\n\n24. On February 9th, the Corps had the honour of parading and lining the entrance to Government House on the occasion of the arrival of H.R.H. Prince ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT, K.G.\n\n26. All the Officers of the Corps and a number of the N.C.O.s and men became members of the new China United Services Rifle Association which was formed early in 1906. The first rifle meeting promoted by this Association was held from March 19th to 24th and the members of the Corps entered for all events and shot extremely well; they were somewhat unfortunate, however, in being second for every event.\n\nIn the Officers' team competition, they lost by one point to the Officers 119th Infantry, coming, however, well ahead of the other 3 teams. In the Championship of the Colony, Sergeant LAPSLEY, H.K.V.E., was second to an Officer of the 119th Infantry. In the Nursery Competition, Gunner COLES was second to a Lance-Corporal of the Royal West Kent Regiment. In the Noel Cup, out of 16 entries, a Volunteer team was second to a team from H.M.S. Andromeda and received special praise from H.E. the G.O.C. for their work. And lastly, in the Hatton Cup, the Volunteer team was only beaten by the two teams of the Royal West Kent Regiment and came before the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers; the conditions for this cup were very hard for Volunteers who are mostly men from offices; the team consisted of two officers (Lieutenant HAYTON and 2nd Lieutenant REYNOLDS) and 30 N.C.O.s and men, and the competition included a five miles march in field service order followed by one hour's entrenching work and rifle practice at head and shoulder targets, half of the team also being marked for scouting and skirmishing work. Lieutenant HAYTON deserves especial credit for the way in which he trained the team, and I consider the result was highly satisfactory for an Artillery and Engineer Corps who have very little time for instruction in infantry duties.\n\n26. The new Head Quarters were commenced in June, 1905; the orderly-room, stores, &c., being temporarily housed in a mat-shed; the contract for the completion of the building was made for April, 1906, but I now understand that it is not likely to be finished until September 30th, 1906.\n\n27. In order to further improve the rifle shooting of all members of the Corps, and especially to instruct recruits and indifferent shots, I have strongly recommended that a grant be made to purchase the new invention known as the Sub-Target Rifle; this can be obtained at a cost of £50 and could be fitted up in the new Drill Hall. I understand that, with this instrument, recruits and others can be taught to shoot well without the cost of ammunition. It will be a great attraction, and if ordered from home at once could be in use, when required, before next annual camp.\n\n## INSPECTION\n\n28. The Annual Inspection of the Corps was carried out during the absence of His Excellency the General Officer Commanding, by Colonel C. H. DABLING, C.R.E., on March 31st, 1906; he expressed himself well satisfied with the parade and congratulated the Corps on the excellent results obtained at the recent C.U.S.R.A. rifle meeting. He also referred to the Maxim guns on parade and mentioned that they required painting but stated that as the Corps had no gun shed at present, he hoped that this would be done as soon as the Corps took over their new quarters.\n\n## SERVICES\n\n29. Major A. CHAPMAN commanded the Corps in the Summer months during my absence on leave and satisfactorily kept up the general keenness and efficiency. Sergeant Major W. HIGBY has continued to carry out his duties well and has become very popular with all ranks. Staff Armourer J. T. HAWKS was absent on leave at home during the Summer but returned before the Annual Camp. He carried out his duties satisfactorily, but unfortunately, his health has failed and he has been invalided home, April 30th, 1906.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\nC. G. PRITCHARD, Major, Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps.\n\nPage 399", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 455051, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8]", "page_number": 444, "title": "CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8]", "content_text": "## Enclosure 4\nLodging Allowances of Military Officers, Hongkong, for whom quarters are not provided.\n\n| Rank | Allowance |\n| --- | --- |\n| Chief Engineer | $4.40 per diem |\n| Principal Medical Officer | |\n| Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Royal Garrison Artillery | $0.86 per diem (Hill district) |\n| Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers | do. |\n| Lieutenant-Colonel, R.A.M.C. | $0.86 per diem (Hill district) |\n| Majors (2) General Staff | $0.85 per diem (Hill district) |\n| Majors (2) R.A.M.C. | $0.84 per diem (Lower Level) |\n| Majors (2) A.O.Dept. | $0.85 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| Major, A.P.Dept. | $0.85 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| Majors (2) Royal Garrison Artillery | $0.84 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| Majors (3) Royal Engineers | do. |\n| Major, A.S.Corps | do. |\n\n**Note:** The rate on the Lower Level for this class is $2.50 per diem.\n\n| Rank | Allowance |\n| --- | --- |\n| Lieutenant (Grade III) on the General Staff | |\n| Captains (2) R.A.M.C. | $2.50 per diem (Lower Level and Kowloon) |\n| Captain, A.O.Dept. | $0.84 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| Captain, A.P.Dept. | $0.84 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| Regimental Captains (2) | $2 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| Captain, A.V.Dept. (2) | $0.84 per diem (Higher Level) |\n| | $1.50 per diem (Lower Level) |\n\n**Note:** Rate depends on District in which quarters are situate.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 483569, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-460 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [1-4]", "page_number": 382, "title": "CO129-460 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [1-4]", "content_text": "379\n\n(I would observe, incidentally, that I consider that I should have been consulted before this was done) and the command of the Forces devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel J. R. Wyndham of the Wiltshire Regiment, who has been only a few months in the Colony. Colonel Wyndham occupied the position of Officer Commanding the Troops for about a week and has now been replaced by Colonel J. R. Young, Commanding Royal Engineers, who has returned from leave for that purpose.\n\nI have, of course, no qualifications to judge of Colonel Young's capacity as an officer of Engineers, but, as a man, his views appear to be somewhat peculiar and his personality is more than somewhat uncouth. That the Government of the Colony should be administered by either Colonel Wyndham or Colonel Young is inconceivable.\n\n4.\n\nI was serving in the Eastern Department of the Colonial Office at the time when Mr. Lyttelton's despatch was written and, if I remember aright, the decision to prefer the Senior Military Officer to an Acting Colonial Secretary was due, at least in part, to the fact that at that time the Acting Colonial Secretary was likely to be an officer of very short experience. That is not the case now as the officers at the head of the service, from among whom the Acting Colonial Secretary would be selected, are all men of ripe age and experience. The present holder of the post, Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, who is 41 years of age, is regarded by others besides myself as one of the best officers in His Majesty's service, and I may say that, in the event of the Colonial Secretaryship becoming vacant, his appointment to the substantive post would be received with widespread approval in the Colony. It is not too much to say that the appointment of any military officer other than the Major-General Commanding the Forces to administer the Government while Mr. Fletcher is acting as Colonial Secretary would give a shock to public opinion both European and Chinese.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-460 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]