[ { "id": 221212, "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": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "page_number": 15, "title": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "content_text": "14\n\n4\n\nto\n\nwas transmitted by England by Her Majesty's Steamer Spitfire,\n\non \"the 30th July,\n\nand as the alterations which Mr Martin has made in Mr Mercer's Quarterly Account render it necessary that the account for the September Quarter should be transmitted by the same opportunity,\n\nI have refrained from sending in this Audit Account and am waiting for the Quarterly Account for September last, in order that they may both go home together.\n\nI hope that there will not be so much delay in sending it in, and trust that when it comes under examination it may prove correct, and not have to be returned for Correction.\n\nShould it prove correct it will be ready for transmission to England by the next opportunity.\n\nI have &c.\n\n(Signed) A P. Shelley,\n\nAuditor General.\n\n(Received copy) Frederic W. H. Bruce.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 221314, "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": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "page_number": 117, "title": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "content_text": "that His Excellency will confirm him in this appointment, whilst the excessive pressure of business in Council requires\n\nit\n\nYour\n\nI have the honor to refer Excellency further to my letter to the Colonial Secretary dated 25th May 1864.\n\nI have be\n\n(Signed) A. E. Shelley\n\nTrue copy.\n\nAuditor General.\n\nFrederich Mr A. Brune\n\nJ\n\nApparater\n\n905 Hongkong\n\nKetoria, Haughing\n\nRECENT\n\nC.O. JUNE 5 1045\n\nMy Lord,\n\n115\n\n27th February, 1845.\n\nHave been informed by\n\nRear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, that Captain Maitland of Her Majesty's Heavenly vessel Spitfire has not been allowed Passage money for the\n\nseveral Colonial Civil servants whom\n\nhe conveyed from Bombay to Hongkong at the requisition of the Governor of Bombay.\n\nAn official letter from Lord\n\nAberdeen, No. 13\n\nJ\n\nmyself.\n\n13 of 18764, informs agreeing \" I have further to acquaint you that the Governor of Bombay has been directed to provide a Sound vessel for\n\nThe Right Honorable\n\n\"The Lord Stanley,\n\n4,\n\nYour", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 221514, "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": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "page_number": 317, "title": "CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4]", "content_text": "340\n\nS2115\n\n1845\n\nSir J Davis\n\ncontinued\n\n6\n\nfrom M. 10 Came proposing certain reductions in the Police Department resulting in saving of $900 per month Mr Bittier to be removed to Victoria with an additional allowance of $50 per month\n\nTh 21 16 Mr Ready. Report the appointment of Mr Ready as assistant in the Audit Office at $100 per Month and that Mr Hance has been transferred as copying Clerk of the Clerk of Councils.\n\nF627 3 Passage Money. Recommends the payment to Capt. Maitland of H.M. Steamer \"Spitfire\" of certain passage money due to him for the conveyance of public Officers from Bombay to Hong Kong.\n\nF1828 17 Treasurer's Accounts. Encloses the Treasurer's Accounts for the quarter ending Dec 31\n\nAppointments. Encloses Returns of all appointments and alterations for the quarter ending Dec 31\n\n1845\n\nSir J Davis\n\nMar 1 18 Mr A Shortrede. Reports the arrival of Mr Shortrede (introduced by the Colonial Office) who has commenced a Weekly Newspaper called the China Mail.\n\nReports the proclamation of the various Ordinances that have received H.M.'s sanction.\n\nMar 3 19 Macao. Refers to his despatch Mar 20 to the Foreign Office DS 34 on the subject of Macao.\n\nThe Triad Society. Encloses the Notes of the trial and conviction of the reputed Head of the Triad Society. Refers to his Despatch No 7 Jan 7, for an Account of the dangerous nature of this Society.\n\nMar 4 21 Despatches: Acknowledge receipt of Despatches. The October Mail from England not yet arrived.\n\nMar 5 22 Piracies. Refers to his despatch", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-011 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 222326, "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": "CO129-013 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [8-12]", "page_number": 379, "title": "CO129-013 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [8-12]", "content_text": "# Despatches\n\nBest Dest Subject of Despatch.\n\nper month, extra, to act when required,\n\n077 the Island.\n\nthe south boast Ni\n\nNo Date 19.\n\nof One.\n\n20. 16. Th 21 Forwarding letter from Shelley of the 14th December 1844 and reporting on the appointment of Mr Ready as Clerk to the Auditor General\n\n27th Regarding passage money to Captain Mailland of H.M's steamer \"Spitfire\", for conveying several Colonial Civil Servants from Bombay to Hong Kong.\n\nTransmitting copy of the Treasury Account for the Quarter ending 31 December, 1844, and amended Account for the Quarter ending 30th September, 1844. Also, Survey on the Treasure Vault of 1 January, with certificate thereon: and various financial Returns for the Quarter ending 31st December, 1844.\n\n18. March 1. Reporting that the \"China-Mail\" edited by Mr Shortrede, has been declared the Government Gazette; and transmitting Proclamations announcing confirmation of Ordinances No 11, 12, and ...\n\nDesp. Desp. Subject of Despatch.\n\n25\n\nDespatch 526 hel and 14, of 1844.\n\nMarch 3 Referring His Lordship to Despatch No 34 of 1845 to the Earl of Aberdeen respecting Macao.\n\nRespecting the nature of the Pirated Society, and transmitting Chief Justice's Notes of trial of the reputed head thereof,\n\n4th. Acknowledging receipt of Despatches No 4 to 26th of October, 1844.\n\nReferring His Lordship to Despatch No 360 / 1845, to the Earl of Aberdeen, regarding piracies between Hong Kong and Banten.\n\nReporting sale of Opium farm, and transmitting amended Regulations on the subject.\n\nExplanatory of last Clause of Ordinance No 10 of 1844, relating to punishments on Chinese subjects.\n\n8th. Explanatory of Clauses 3 and 7 of Ordinance No 13 of 1844, regarding Chinese Peace Officers.\n\n8th Reporting one year's leave of absence granted to Lieut: Pedder, R.N., to proceed to England, with arrangements made for the performance of his duties, during his absence.\n\nPage ...\n\n \n## Notes on formatting: \n- The original text has been transformed into standard Markdown format.\n- Headers, sub-headers, and bold-type have been processed using Markdown syntax.\n- Spelling errors have been corrected.\n- Spacing issues have been fixed by removing extra spaces and adding missing spaces.\n- Broken sentences have been rejoined.\n- Paragraph breaks have been restored where necessary.\n- Missing words have been indicated with `...`.\n- File references have been formatted without spaces inside parentheses.\n- Page numbering has been preserved as per the original scan. \n\nThe final output is in HTML format using `` for paragraphs.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-013 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [8-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 222639, "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": "CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845", "page_number": 297, "title": "CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845", "content_text": "16.009 17\n\nRECENT\n\nAUG.22 1840\n\nکرکے میں\n\n14,50. Hong Kong.\n\n296\n\nملك\n\nTreasury Memorandum 2th August 1846.\n\nMy Lord,\n\nI am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint your Lordship that Captain Sir Francis R. Blackwood, and Messrs. Martin and (Cay), whose appointments at Hongkong are to be conveyed from Bombay to that Island, on board her Majesty's Steam Vessel \"Spitfire\", and that the sums hereafter specified are to be paid to the Commander of that Vessel for their subsistence during the Voyage.\n\n1. Stephen Reg.\n\n(V...)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 222640, "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": "CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845", "page_number": 298, "title": "CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845", "content_text": "(5)\n\nFor Governor Davis and Suite: Z 127.\n\nFor the Hon. the F. Bruce\n\nFor Mr. Martindale\n\n10\n\n22-19--\n\nFor M. Lay\n\n22-19-- 22.19.-\n\nDeed\n\nwell state, that no further Expence in respect of the Passage of these Officers is chargeable to the Public, My Lords have to request that Sir John Davis may be directed to cause the respective amounts to be deducted from the first payments of their Salaries that may be made after the Instructions shall have reached him, and to be paid over to the Crown, and to report to My Lords when the same shall have been received.\n\nYour obedient Servant,\n\nAlmundyyn\n\nFR 1450 Anthony\n\n8. 135.\n\nTo H.E. Sir J. Davis 18\n\n...\n\nForwarded 8 AUG\n\nMR Arbuthnot 26 M&Stephen\n\nattleborne\n\nFood Stanley 20\n\n297\n\n33. Aug. 145.\n\nThere is a Communication from this Body stating that they have been apprized of the L.C. being sure to the Commander of H.M. Steamer \"Spitfire\" for the passage from Bombay to Hongkong & return, Mehr. Ponce, Martins, Winding & Ehrenbre.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 241939, "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": 365, "title": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "content_text": "Gosomeat of the Uniteds: Aated the 5 of their konsert at this port,\n\nConduct.\n\npunished here simply because he is which conduct has been inadequakly\n\nCompeel.\n\nI have,\n\nJc:\n\n(Signed) #Tutor Lavies, Chief Magistrate\n\nfor the Arsing Colonial Senatury\n\nLikhi thuada\n\n(Jure Copy)\n\nEn the cause in which\n\nSUMMONS FOR DEFENDANT.\n\nAT THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, IN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.\n\nthe day of\n\nJune\n\n1857-\n\nR. At the Compet of John W.Airey Master of the Amincan { in Plaintify, and\n\nShip Spitfire\n\nJames Keenan, Exquird\n\nTo\n\nWilliam Vandyte\n\nto all other Constables of the said Colony,\n\nDefendant.\n\n360\n\na Constable of the said Colony, and\n\nWhereas the said Plaintiff hath this day informed and complained to me\n\nthat said\n\nCharles\n\nMay Esquire for bust the wild Defendant on the 30th May 1857. at Actoria did unlawfully assault and beat th Saint John W. Aney\n\none of HER MAJESTY'S JUSTICES OF THE PEACE for the said Colony\n\nNote. After Service here of if defendant should neglect the Plaintiff will be heard\n\naccordance with the provisions\n\nto tippear as hereby\n\nexparte & determined in\n\nOrdce 10. of 18.4 4.\n\n[If practicable, the Copy must be served on the Party Personally; but if this is impracticable, it may be left\n\nat his last usual Place of Abode, or be affixed to a conspicuous part of the outside of such Abode; and the reasons why the personal Service could not be made, must be stated in the Return\n\n(Que Cony)\n\nand has prayed that the said Defendant may be called upon to answer for this offence, and may be further dealt with according to Law: These are therefore to require you forthwith to summon the said Defendant to be, and appear at the Office aforesaid on Tuesday, the Second day of June 1857. at the hour of Ten o'clock in the noon, before such JUSTICE or JUSTICES OF THE PEACE for the said Colony as may then be there, to answer to the said information and complaint, and to be further dealt with according to Law: And be you then there to certify what you shall have done in the premises. Given under my Hand and Seal at the time and place first above-mentioned.\n\nthe pot of line at\n\n2 Ma\n\nAerg Ass\n\nMagistrate.\n\nI, a Constable of the said Colony, do hereby certify, that on\n\nsummoned the within named Defendant\n\nand served a true Copy of this Summons on the said Defendant, in the manner following, that is to say: by delivering the Copy to him at Messrs Dr Silver 160: Por\n\nto the acting colonial Secretary tool (Sig}) W KandryK\n\nConstable,\n\n據原告香港刑訟司使\n\n爲票傳被告赴案質訊事\n\n控告\n\n論本役\n\nH\n\n月\n\n日在\n\n等知悉照得本司現據原告禀稱被告於\n\n乃屬犯律懇乞傳質\n\n地方\n\n一案\n\n在票\n\n訊按法究辦等情據此合就票傳爲此票仰本役立即傳出\n\n准于\n\n午\n\n日午\n\n須到案消差毋違須票\n\n年 月\n\n##\n\n點鐘赴案質審俟候按法究辦該役臨時仍\n\n日\n\n之故仍須禀覆遺在他屋或貼在屋外當眼之處至其不能交與原人此票可將抄白交與原人收覽倘不能交與原人卽將\n\n仍月", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 241947, "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": 373, "title": "CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7]", "content_text": "20\n\nIn the cause in\n\n1 True copy.\n\nSUMMONS FOR WITNESS.\n\nAT THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, IN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.\n\n13948 R. at the Complaint of John Rowe Jireh is Plaintiff, and\n\nthe acting\n\n[The penalty for disobedience to this Summons is\n\n100 Dollars, and attendance\n\nmay be enforced by Warrant\n\nof Apprehension]\n\n[If practicable, the Copy\n\nmust be served on the Party\n\npersonally but if this be\n\nimpracticable, it may be left\n\nat his last usual\n\nPlace of Abode]\n\nMaster of the American Ship \"Spitfire\"\n\nTo James Keenan Esquire so\n\nWilliam Vandyk\n\nConstables of the said Colony!\n\nWhereas information was laid before\n\nDefendant.\n\n368\n\na Constable of the said Colony, and to all other\n\nCharles May\n\nEsquire\n\nOne of HER MAJESTY'S JUSTICES OF THE PEACE in and for said Colony, for that the said\n\nDefendant on\n\ndid\n\n30th\n\nlast past at\n\nVictoria\n\n\"unlawfully\n\nplaintiff\n\nassault and beat the\n\nand it hath been made to appear to me that\n\nGeorge Joseph Merry Capon\n\nClerk.\n\nStorekeeper of Victoria\n\nare Witnesses in this matter and likely to give material evidence therein; these\n\nare therefore to require you to summon the said Witnesses (delivering to them a copy the Second hereof) to be and appear at the Office aforesaid on Tuesday\n\nthe\n\nday of\n\n1857, at\n\no'clock in the\n\nforenoon, before such JUSTICE or JUSTICES OF THE PEACE for the said Colony as may then be there, to testify what they shall know concerning the matter of the said information.\n\nGiven under my Hand and Seal this\n\nFirst\n\nday of\n\nJune\n\nin the Year\n\nof our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Fiftyseven\n\nJom Vandyk\n\n1 of line\n\nSig, C. May. Acting Magistrate.\n\nConstable of the said Colony, do hereby certify that on I duly summoned the within\n\n3 o'clock h. m\n\nat\n\ntrue\n\nin\n\nfollowing, that\n\nof this Summons on them to him, ton\n\nand in the past named Witness and served for him by giving\n\nconspicuous part of the said Abode and the\n\nreason why the personal\n\nService could not be made,\n\nis to say on\n\nBut the post Henry Craven by leaving it at his house with\n\nMr. Dr Silver.\n\n(Sig?) W. Vandyk Constable.\n\nPage 21\n\n \n(The original text ends here, and \"Page 21\" indicates the start of a new page. However, as per the instructions, we keep the page numbering information as is.)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-063 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [4-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 273589, "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": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "page_number": 398, "title": "CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3]", "content_text": "## \n\nforwarded to Europe in similar Vessels.\n\nI have the honor to be,\n\nMy Lord Duke,\n\nYour Grace's most obedient humble Servant,\n\nRevd Guns Macdonnell\nSi & Roper\n\nTo the B. of trade reference & their letter 12/24,\n\nGovernor\n\nAccommodating 4th the humblest.\n\nThere should be a change in discharges\nof Sick Seacres.\nappend here their return etc.\n\nDischarge\nThink it may be worth diam\nNav\non the Spitfire owner\nattentn\nBy 14/5-\nshould be\nM7330.\n\n## MINUTE\n462, 4886\nThe Assistant Secretary\nMarine Dept.\nBoard\nNadi\n\n& \n\n14 \n16.\nEntered \nAnsee? 5847-\n396 \nW/8 May 1865 \nJam \nSome directed \nEstablishing Bankingßen.\n\nAfforward to transmit \nZou for the consideration of the Lord of the Committee OPC for Trade & with reference gone \nto \nletter of the 14 Dec.\n\nEast \na \ncopy of a \ndespatch from the Governor \nrequesting information \nin connection \nwith the invalid British Seamen who", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568063, "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": "CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939", "page_number": 15, "title": "CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939", "content_text": "15\n\nM 696\n\nEmpire Air Day.\n\nBy Joseph Martin.\n\nSpectacular Displays.\n\nEmpire Air Day and the coming of age of the Royal Air Force as a separate service were jointly celebrated on Saturday, the 20th of May, at 78 aerodromes in various parts of Great Britain.\n\nFor many years the air pageant staged by the Royal Air Force at Hendon near London was the most thrilling event of the season, but for various reasons it had to be abandoned. For one thing, the terrific increase in speed of the military machines made some of the events, if not impossible, at any rate too dangerous to carry out in such a small space as was available at the Hendon aerodrome.\n\nHow much London lost by this the country gained, and more beside. For now, instead of one monster pageant at Hendon, there are scores of most impressive pageants staged all over the country. How much they are appreciated may be gathered from the fact that the total number of visitors at the sixty-three military and fifteen civil aerodromes where the displays were staged this year was estimated at about a million. More than five thousand aircraft, of a large number of types, were on parade, and the Royal Air Force, in their routine life on the ground as well as in the air, were \"at home\" to the enormous crowds of visitors.\n\nWhat appealed most to the spectators was the actual flying. At one aerodrome near London a special feature of the display was a mass take-off by 27 Supermarine Spitfires, the world's fastest fighter. Their speed and manoeuvrability was shown in a spectacular manner when nine of these wonder-planes performed Squadron drill, followed by a concerted attack on a set-piece on the aerodrome and, later, when six of them attacked three Fairey Battle bombers in a mock air engagement.\n\nTo illustrate the speed-range of the Spitfire there was an exhibition of slow and fast flying. One Spitfire flew low over...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568064, "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": "CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939", "page_number": 16, "title": "CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939", "content_text": "2\n\na\n\n16\n\nthe aerodrome with retractable undercarriage down and wing-flaps fully extended, flying as low as possible. It was overtaken by another machine flying at top speed permissible at low altitudes.\n\nAnother machine with enormous speed is the Hawker Hurricane, one of which completed a remarkable journey from Edinburgh to London in January at over 400 miles an hour. These machines figured largely in the programme at another aerodrome near London, where visitors saw two Hurricanes, which can normally climb to a height of 15,000 feet in seven minutes, engage in an altitude race.\n\nEfficiency and Power.\n\nThere was not so much display of individual aerobatics as usual, formation flying having pride of place this year. Squadron movements had been perfected, and experts claimed that better formation flying had never been seen anywhere. One squadron of Hurricanes marched like guardsmen to and fro across the sky, broke up, in a succession of stalled turns, into individual aircraft diving over the heads of the crowds of spectators, and then zoomed upwards and scattered themselves in apparent carelessness about the horizon.\n\nDuring the afternoon Squadron-Leader George Stainforth, former world speed record holder, flew a Spitfire over 1,000 miles at an average speed of over 300 miles an hour, \"just as an afternoon jaunt.\" And this was simply normal cruising speed, the machine never was flown at \"full-out\" speed.\n\n11\n\nAs demonstrations of air efficiency the many displays were imposing spectacles, but it was impossible to show fully the enormous increase in British air strength during the past few years. When a greatly increased programme of construction was announced in February, 1956, it was clearly beyond the capacity of the aircraft industry to execute it. The help of the motor-car industry was therefore enlisted and eight \"shadow\" factories", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 568144, "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": "CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939", "page_number": 96, "title": "CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939", "content_text": "96\n\nSupreme Aircraft Builders.\n\nNo less than twenty-four British aircraft manufacturing firms have combined to demonstrate, through the British section of the Belgian Aero Salon, which opened in Brussels on the 8th of July, that Britain is maintaining her leadership in aeronautical research and development. Round the stand of the British Air Ministry are grouped aircraft of various types, engines ranging in power from 50 to well over 1,000 horse-power, fuselages and accessories which together occupy more than one third of the entire exhibition space.\n\nSuch famous military machines as the Spitfire, the Hurricane, the Fairey and others are on view, and towering above them the Vickers Wellington bomber, a \"geodetic\" machine capable of a non-stop flight of 3,240 miles with full military load. The geodetic principle attains a minimum of structural weight with a maximum of strength by employing as a foundation for the fabric covering, a kind of basket work of light metal spirals, and the Vickers Wellington is the second of this type to be produced.\n\nThe first geodetic machine was the Wellesley, which set up a world record last autumn by flying non-stop from Egypt to Australia, a distance of over 7,000 miles. It is computed that the Wellington, specially prepared for an utmost-distance flight, could cover 10,000 miles before its fuel was exhausted. Even in military form its range is such that the greater part of the world could be covered from three strategic bases only, for instance Great Britain, Egypt and Australia.\n\nThe aircraft displayed in the R.A.F. section have been chosen to indicate the quality of both offensive and defensive types of aircraft in service in Great Britain.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 572818, "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": "CO129-588-23 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 28-3-1942 - 27-11-1942", "page_number": 252, "title": "CO129-588-23 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 28-3-1942 - 27-11-1942", "content_text": "# Air Ministry News Service\n## Air Ministry Bulletin No. 8282\n\n### CRAWLED ALONG SPITFIRE FUSELAGE TO ESCAPE FLAMES\n\nCrawling along the fuselage of a Spitfire to escape the flames which enveloped the cockpit, a sergeant pilot of Fighter Command was jerked to safety by his parachute within a few feet of the sea.\n\nA second later, his aircraft crashed into the Channel, but within five minutes the sergeant was safely aboard a rescue-boat speeding to the shore and to hospital.\n\nThat was on Monday, and all that the Air Ministry was able to announce was that a fighter was lost but the pilot was safe.\n\nToday, the sergeant, now out of danger, and with only a few cuts and bruises to show for his adventure, has told the story behind that communiqué.\n\nHe was on patrol with a companion over the Channel when four F.W.190s were sighted at 2,000 feet off Dover.\n\nThe first the sergeant knew of their presence was a warning from his companion over the radio telephone. As he turned, the three leading German fighters swung into line abreast, and attacked him head-on, firing from about 300 yards' range.\n\nBut the sergeant did not take evasive action. He kept straight on at the enemy, flying into their fire and returning it with his own.\n\nHis plane was hit several times in the engine. It caught fire and dived towards the sea.\n\n\"I decided that it was now time for me to get out,\" said the sergeant. \"I released my straps and stood up in the cockpit. Then I pulled my rip-cord, hoping that my parachute would drag me out. It opened but did not inflate, and the cockpit was in flames, so I turned round and climbed out, crawling along the fuselage towards the tail\".\n\nAs he hung there, the parachute inflated and jerked him clear just before the Spitfire plunged into the sea. He believes that he went 30 feet below the waves before he broke surface and struggled free of his parachute. His \"Mae West\" kept him afloat until the rescue craft arrived.\n\nMeanwhile, his companion had chased the Focke Wulf back to France. The raid had been smashed.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-588-23 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 28-3-1942 - 27-11-1942.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575193, "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": "CO129-590-22 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 19-1-1943 - 20-11-1943", "page_number": 34, "title": "CO129-590-22 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 19-1-1943 - 20-11-1943", "content_text": "## 6.\n\npoints: - \n\nAll members of the party now await definite instructions on the following: \n- date of start of leave, \n- amount of money available to them regularly per month and amount which may be drawn as a lump sum for re-equipment purposes.\n\n(c) Whether expenses from date of arrival in Montreal to date of reaching their final destinations and going on leave are payable by the government. (Hotels in Montreal, for example, cost 30/- per day without food: the repatriates, even on full pay, are not equipped to face unavoidable expenditure on this scale).\n\n(a) Whether they (and their families) may be medically examined and undergo whatever treatment is necessary at government expense.\n\n(e) In the case of Mr. Morris and Sgt. Fyffe, definite arrangements for them to proceed to Australia and Scotland respectively, as soon as possible.\n\nIt is in my opinion important to convey authoritative decisions on these points to them as urgently as possible.\n\n## 7.\n\nAll complain (among other things) of loss of memory and very few were prepared to say in detail what their salaries were on December 8th, 1941. I asked each to think it over and to report what details they could by letter to the High Commissioner's office as soon as possible.\n\n## 8 \nBrief accounts of their interviews with me are attached. Except for Mrs. Zaitzeff they have little of first-rate importance to report. It is obvious that outside contacts are very scarce in the camp.\n\n## 9. \nPoints on which there was complete unanimity are as follows:\n- (a) All have been sternly warned of reprisals against those remaining in Stanley if any of the exchange prisoners talks against the Japanese or discloses information damaging to them. None of the repatriates thinks the Japanese are bluffing about this and each pleads that anything he or she says or writes may be treated with the utmost discretion. \n- (b) Conditions in the camp are very bad and are approaching a crisis with this coming winter. Further exchanges or an almost instantaneous alleviation are imperative.\n\n(c) No one in the camp has any doubt about how the war is going. None of the government servants doubts but that he and his dependents are being and will be looked after.\n\n(d) The reactions to American bombing are indescribable. The flight of the P.38's over the camp is the greatest moment in these people's lives. Asked what would have been the result had the P.38's been R.A.F. Spitfires, words failed the repatriates: I can describe their attitude to this thought only as one of awed wonder and prayer. None thinks it is feasible for planes to drop anything in the camp without previous arrangements approved by those inside.\n\n(e) All have lost weight (the average is upwards of 30 lbs. per man) and in varying degrees they suffer from impairment of vision and memory. \n- (f) All deeply appreciated (as an earnest of the authorities continuing interest in them) the fact that the Colonial Office had taken the trouble to send an officer to meet them: and all, with the exception of Dr. Greaves, are anxious to return to the Far East to attend to \"unfinished business\" as soon as may be.\n\n(g) None could suggest any new technique of raising morale in the camp. \n- (h) It was possible from what they did not say to deduce that Mr. Gimson is having a hard and thankless task as commandant of the camp. I tried without success to draw indirectly from them any suggestions for strengthening his position from the outside, vis-a-vis the rest of the internees.\n- (i) The internal politics of the camp are not worthy of repetition here but when the day of liberation comes I am afraid that the air will be thick with charges and counter-charges, and old scores to be settled.\n\n(j) Mr. Zindle, the Red Cross representative is no good. The general feeling is that, great as the difficulties are, a more resolute man would achieve far greater results.\n\n64251-1", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-22 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 19-1-1943 - 20-11-1943.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 575767, "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": "CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "page_number": 119, "title": "CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905", "content_text": "118\n\n# CANADIAN AIR FORCE\n\nAir Marshal H. Edwards, Royal Canadian Air Force (Overseas), spoke in support of the National Campaign at a Trafalgar Square meeting today.\n\n\"Then I think of the war effort in terms of pots and pans, of war; as great four-engined aircraft ... as shells for the guns of our ...\"\n\n\"I see them, too, in their cargo space, every inch of which ...\"\n\n\"We cannot all fly Spitfires, Stirlings and those other bombers into the front line; nor can we all serve in the Merchant Navy.\"\n\n\"But there is not a home front; this salvage drive needs ...\"\n\nBefore and during the meeting, the RCAF Band, under the direction of ... in this country and made its first ... of the bondsmen, it was revealed ... Bands throughout Canada.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 576834, "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": "CO129-591-12 Military Administration- Civil affairs- directives to force commander and senior officials 24-2-1945 - 13-9-1945", "page_number": 59, "title": "CO129-591-12 Military Administration- Civil affairs- directives to force commander and senior officials 24-2-1945 - 13-9-1945", "content_text": "97\n\n(86)\n\napplied primarily under the supervision of the R.A.F. Works Service, thereafter to be handed over to the Public Works Department for any further work of re-instatement that might be necessary.\n\nAir Facilities in China\n\n8.\n\nDevelopments in acquiring certain concessions in regard to the use of Chinese airfields, whilst not directly concerned with the re-habilitation of Hong Kong, are, however, worthy of mention as Hong Kong is a focal point for air routes along the China Coast. As is only to be expected, negotiations with the Chinese have been long drawn out but progress has been made. Approval has been given and arrangements are almost complete for the establishment of a Staging Post at Shanghai. Moreover, the Chinese have agreed to the use of any airfield in an emergency by R.A.F. aircraft.\n\n9. This latter agreement referred to above does not always operate smoothly and appears sometimes to be subject to the whims of local commanders, as evidenced by the two incidents at Hainan where Sunderland flying boats force-landed due to bad weather and were impounded. The second incident took place after assurances from Chungking that unrestricted use could be made of Chinese airfields in emergency. When the case was represented to them the controlling authorities at Canton took immediate steps to have the Sunderlands released. It is significant that the attitude of the local Chinese forces toward visiting aircraft depends very largely upon the example set by the local commanders. On occasions the utmost courtesy has been shown; at other times this has been conspicuous by its absence. This may well be due to the fact that some Chinese officers, on such occasions, are averse to foreigners and can see no good reason why they should assist in any way.\n\nOperational\n\n10. 96(T) and 209(GR) Squadrons are now based at Kaitak. The former is equipped with Dakotas, the latter with Sunderlands V's. 132(F) Squadron was based at Kaitak up to the middle of March when orders for its disbandment were received. The operational commitments of a fighter squadron had, until then, been negligible with the exception of a few anti-piracy patrols. The retention of this squadron in Hong Kong depended\n\n3/2\n\n(87)\n\nupon the Chiefs of Staff's plans for the size and commitments of a permanent post-war garrison in Hong Kong. Albeit, the presence of the well-known \"Spitfire\" in Hong Kong has enhanced British prestige in China. The local authorities in Canton were undoubtedly flattered and impressed at our acceptance of their invitation for a squadron to fly to Canton and to be on show to the local populace. This visit, which was a great success, did much to cement the already cordial relations which exist between Canton and Hong Kong.\n\n11.\n\nA great deal of work has been put in by 209 Squadron since its arrival in November, 1945. The flying boats, which had just come off an operational role, were stripped of their armament and have been used solely for transportation. Their principal commitment was the maintenance of the Hong Kong and Singapore service which has been operating regularly three times a week for the last 4 months. In addition, special flights have been arranged to meet emergency calls and the flying boats of 209 Squadron have operated to Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Penang, Rangoon, Saigon, Ceylon, and Calcutta and a new service from Hong Kong to Tokyo has recently been launched. This service involves one flying boat a week which carries mail and high priority passengers to Tokyo via Kure. In all, 209 Squadron have flown 2180 hours. There are two accidents to report. A flying boat was holed taking off from Seletar in the dark and was successfully beached at Hong Kong without injury to passengers or crew; and a collision between a Sunderland and a launch at Calcutta cost the life of an officer in the launch, the Sunderland Captain being exonerated from all blame by the subsequent Court of Inquiry.\n\n12. Transport Command services have been operating on an increasing scale from Hong Kong since September. Details of such services are set out in Appendix 'A'. In all, 10,522 passengers and 1,202,781 lbs. of freight and mail have been carried in or out of the Colony by R.A.F. Transport Command aircraft and 209 Squadron. Two accidents have occurred. A Dakota flying from Leyte to Hong Kong in September, 1945, was successfully ditched and the passengers and crew rescued by the Royal Navy. A second Dakota operating between Hong Kong and Saigon was ditched near Hainan on 4th January, 1946. Unfortunately, three passengers of this aircraft were drowned despite the gallant attempts by the Captain and the crew to effect their rescue.\n\n98", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-591-12 Military Administration- Civil affairs- directives to force commander and senior officials 24-2-1945 - 13-9-1945.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 579541, "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": "CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945", "page_number": 83, "title": "CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945", "content_text": "(iv) On October 11th a signal was received from H.M.S. at sea on anti-piracy patrol, stating that there were probably as many as 6 pirate junks at the Northern end of DEP BAY. They were said to be armed and in considerable strength. 3 L.C.'s with Commandos and air support were ordered to proceed to the area, but the operation was postponed for 24 hours as it was considered possible that the junks might belong to friendly Chinese. However, upon receipt of the report referred to in (iii) above, the force was despatched to TA KONG HUI, where it landed and proceeded Northwards. On the beach to the seaward of SHA HONG HUI were found 2 pirate junks and one motor boat, and some suspected pirates. One junk and the motor-boat, being both armed and armoured, were taken alongside.\n\nThey were found to contain a large assortment of looted gear including cans of Government petrol. Another junk hulk was left ashore filled with looted furniture as bait. The prisoners numbering 12 in all, are now in police hands (together with the bullet-proof plates removed from the craft), and from investigations which have been carried out it appears that they are guerillas who were being employed on police duties until they could be replaced by British forces. However, a further check-up is being made.\n\n(v) Two strange junks visited TAI SHI island on October 14th and enquired about the strength of the garrison at SAI KUK. It is thought that they were pirates.\n\n(vi) On October 16th Capt. GICK's party reported searching a junk in TAI PO and finding on board arms without licence. The junk captain was taken into custody by 1st Commando.\n\n5. LOCAL DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.\n\nAn exhaustive survey of past gun positions and defences of the Colony at the time of the surrender has now been completed by the Army. Results show that the Japanese largely disregarded the British defence system, which was allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. Low diggings commanded most of the roads and beaches which would be suitable for landings. The majority of their work was carried out from the middle of 1944 onwards, work still being in progress at the time of their surrender.\n\nDuring the past week the check and appropriation of captured Japanese war material by the Chinese Military Delegation has continued.\n\n6. POLITICAL REVIEW.\n\nA modified form of political warfare commenced over last week-end with the distribution of 4,000 Japanese language news digests among the Japanese P.O.W.'s and internees in the Colony. The Japanese are allowed to listen to TOKYO and MANILA radios and have already begun to issue a news summary in the camps.\n\n7. AIR INTELLIGENCE.\n\nOperational patrols against pirates were commenced on October 1st by No. 132 Squadron, R.A.F., based at FAI TAK, 15 Spitfires and 20 pilots. No incidents have so far been reported, the main difficulty from the point of view of the pilots being pirate recognition.\n\nPage 83", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 582609, "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": "CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946", "page_number": 58, "title": "CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946", "content_text": "(86)\n\napplied primarily under the supervision of the R.A.F. Works Service, thereafter to be handed over to the Public Works Department for any further work of reinstatement that might be necessary.\n\nAir Facilities in China\n\n8. Developments in acquiring certain concessions in regard to the use of Chinese airfields, whilst not directly concerned with the rehabilitation of Hong Kong, are, however, worthy of mention as Hong Kong is a focal point for air routes along the China Coast. As is only to be expected, negotiations with the Chinese have been long drawn out but progress has been made. Approval has been given and arrangements are almost complete for the establishment of a Staging Post at Shanghai. Moreover, the Chinese have agreed to the use of any airfield in an emergency by R.A.F. aircraft.\n\n9. This latter agreement referred to above does not always operate smoothly and appears sometimes to be subject to the whims of local commanders, as evidenced by the two incidents at Hainan where Sunderland flying boats force-landed due to bad weather and were impounded. The second incident took place after assurances from Chungking that unrestricted use could be made of Chinese airfields in emergency. When the case was represented to them, the controlling authorities at Canton took immediate steps to have the Sunderlands released. It is significant that the attitude of the local Chinese forces toward visiting aircraft depends very largely upon the example set by the local commanders. On occasions, the utmost courtesy has been shown; at other times, this has been conspicuous by its absence. This may well be due to the fact that some Chinese officers, on such occasions, are averse to foreigners and can see no good reason why they should assist in any way.\n\nOperational\n\n10. 96(T) and 209(GR) Squadrons are now based at Kaitak. The former is equipped with Dakotas, the latter with Sunderlands V's. 132(F) Squadron was based at Kaitak up to the middle of March when orders for its disbandment were received. The operational commitments of a fighter squadron had, until then, been negligible, with the exception of a few anti-piracy patrols. The retention of this squadron in Hong Kong depended upon the Chiefs of Staff's plans for the size and commitments of a permanent post-war garrison in Hong Kong. Albeit, the presence of the well-known \"Spitfire\" in Hong Kong has enhanced British prestige in China. The local authorities in Canton were undoubtedly flattered and impressed at our acceptance of their invitation for a squadron to fly to Canton and to be on show to the local populace. This visit, which was a great success, did much to cement the already cordial relations which exist between Canton and Hong Kong.\n\n11. A great deal of work has been put in by 209 Squadron since its arrival in November, 1945. The flying boats, which had just come off an operational role, were stripped of their armament and have been used solely for transportation. Their principal commitment was the maintenance of the Hong Kong and Singapore service, which has been operating regularly three times a week for the last 4 months. In addition, special flights have been arranged to meet emergency calls, and the flying boats of 209 Squadron have operated to Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Penang, Rangoon, Saigon, Ceylon, and Calcutta, and a new service from Hong Kong to Tokyo has recently been launched. This service involves one flying boat a week, which carries mail and high-priority passengers to Tokyo via Kure. In all, 209 Squadron have flown 2180 hours. There are two accidents to report. A flying boat was holed taking off from Seletar in the dark and was successfully beached at Hong Kong without injury to passengers or crew; and a collision between a Sunderland and a launch at Calcutta cost the life of an officer in the launch, the Sunderland Captain being exonerated from all blame by the subsequent Court of Inquiry.\n\n12. Transport Command services have been operating on an increasing scale from Hong Kong since September. Details of such services are set out in Appendix 'A'. In all, 10,522 passengers and 1,202,781 lbs. of freight and mail have been carried in or out of the Colony by R.A.F. Transport Command aircraft and 209 Squadron. Two accidents have occurred. A Dakota flying from Leyte to Hong Kong in September, 1945, was successfully ditched, and the passengers and crew rescued by the Royal Navy. A second Dakota operating between Hong Kong and Saigon was ditched near Hainan on 4th January, 1946. Unfortunately, three passengers of this aircraft were drowned despite the gallant attempts by the Captain and the crew to effect their rescue.\n\n(87)\n\nPage 99\nPage 100", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 592890, "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": "CO129-614-3 Visit of Sir Patrick Abercrombie to advise on town planning 4-1-1948 - 10-1-1949", "page_number": 21, "title": "CO129-614-3 Visit of Sir Patrick Abercrombie to advise on town planning 4-1-1948 - 10-1-1949", "content_text": "## \nleaving in early October for Antinglia (J & Britain Committee)\n\nI have written that if Muratin is wanted, the request could be made in writing to them. In the case of Spitfire reference to the Jewish camps! (Thank you for sending the Epstein Report (`E.R.`)). I have intentionally kept the Report brief and here neither marshalled all the evidence nor included sketch plans.\n\nTime in H.K. with the Planning Office, who were wired on these things naked with me continuously entailing discussions of all types. I have sought to be fairly definite but always against a background of full information, specially prepared reports and recorded interviews. Tunnel is wanted - on the Admiralty should have Queen Rd., it is the result of very full discussions with the most directly concerned. Only in the (all-important) case of Finance, have I not met the London official who deals with the Imprest Treasury so far as H.K. is concerned.\n\nyour", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-614-3 Visit of Sir Patrick Abercrombie to advise on town planning 4-1-1948 - 10-1-1949.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 596420, "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": "CO129-623-3 Supplementary Expenditure- general correspondence on the allocation of funds and an annual report for the... 1-3-1950 - 30-9-1950", "page_number": 127, "title": "CO129-623-3 Supplementary Expenditure- general correspondence on the allocation of funds and an annual report for the... 1-3-1950 - 30-9-1950", "content_text": "Secretariat file 2/926/49.\n\nSAVINGRAM\n\nTo the Secretary of State for the Colonies.\n\nFrom the Governor, Hong Kong.\n\nDate\n\nApril, 1950.\n\nNo. 31.\n\nSECRET\n\n2242340\n\n25\n\n54126/5/48\n\nKai Tak runways.\n\nFinance Committee of the Legislative Council approved expenditure of $360,000 on the maintenance of Kai Tak runways at the beginning of December as a result of urgent representations from the Air Officer Commanding that areas at the end of runway 13 were a definite hazard to Spitfire fighter aircraft. At that time the programme of resurfacing of the runways referred to in my savingram No. 972 of 25th November was being held up for lack of equipment. Your telegram No. 1883 of 24th December refers.\n\nGrateful for your covering approval of the provision in accordance with paragraph 3(ii) of your despatch No. 302 of 25th September 1948.\n\nRMH:IS\n\n19\n\n197", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-623-3 Supplementary Expenditure- general correspondence on the allocation of funds and an annual report for the... 1-3-1950 - 30-9-1950.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 597006, "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": "CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951", "page_number": 37, "title": "CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951", "content_text": "The head is likely to show a large increase in the second half of the year.\n\n6.\n\n37\n\nLoan expenditure on 30th September 1951 totalled £77,886,558, of which $27,886,558 was met from an advance account. I am now considering the possibilities of charging off to expenditure up to $25,000,000 of the advance, and I shall address you separately on this subject at a later date. With reference to paragraph 6 of my summary for last quarter, I have now issued instructions that no new items of expenditure are to be financed from loan funds. It is proposed to allow all existing commitments to stand as a charge against the loan, but it is possible that, when final details are available, about $10,000,000 allocated under the loan schedule can be allowed to lapse. In conjunction with my other proposal referred to above, expenditure chargeable to loan funds may eventually be reduced to about $65,000,000, of which $50,000,000 will be covered by the public issue.\n\n7.\n\n(a) Arising out of points in my last summary\n\nIncreases in the establishment of the Inland Revenue Department have now been authorised. Difficulty is being experienced in recruiting suitable candidates, and the effect of the extra staff on revenue will not be immediate.\n\n(b) The draft Bill for introduction of the Business Registration Tax has now been received from the Legal Department, but preliminary examination has shown that extensive changes will be necessary if it is to be administered successfully. The necessary discussions are now in train, but it seems unlikely that any revenue from this source can be expected this year.\n\n(c) The local Air Force authorities have now made it clear that Spitfires would be provided free of charge if this Government agreed to accept the annual cost of recurrent maintenance, which is expected to be $500,000 in the first year and $350,000 in subsequent years. No final decision has been reached pending examination of your despatch No.54 of the 27th October, 1951, regarding the contribution towards the cost of reinforcing the garrison.\n\n8.\n\n(a)\n\nLegislation introducing compulsory service has now been passed by Legislative Council. It is too early to know whether the estimate of $1,000,000 for annually recurrent expenditure is accurate, but already supplementary provisions of $296,500 and $76,820 have been approved for the Special Constabulary and the Auxiliary Air Force respectively. Further provisions for the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force, the Essential Services Corps, the Auxiliary Medical Service, and the Auxiliary Fire Service are expected. It should be possible to give a better indication of the total commitments, which I expect will be heavy, in the next summary.\n\nExpenditure on printing and binding for the first nine months of the present financial year has now been estimated at £2,000,000 compared with the provision of $1,250,000 for the full twelve months. A supplementary provision of $750,000 has been authorised, and further provision will be required for the fourth quarter to cover the operations of a new Government Printing Department. This arises from the abrogation of an agreement between this Government and the firm of Noronha & Co., Ltd., made in 1940, under which this firm was granted a very remunerative monopoly of Government printing for twenty years. The abrogation of the agreement after prolonged negotiations necessitated surrender to the Company of Government's shares in the undertaking and cash payments.\n\n66 94003/10/57", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 597015, "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": "CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951", "page_number": 46, "title": "CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951", "content_text": "(f) The Air Officer Commanding has suggested the provision of Spitfires for the H.K.A.A.F. at a cost of roughly half a million.\n\n(g) There will be an increase in the cost of education in the current year. Grants to non-Government schools will be increased because of the increase in cost of living allowances, and further provision has to be made for primary education.\n\nIt is probable that the final accounts for the financial year 1950-51 will soon be available, but I have not delayed this report for them.\n\nRMH:AGC:is", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]