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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 6TH MARCH, 1886.
Before agreeing to vote the sum required for the construction of the works there was considerable discussion in the Finance Committee, owing to an impression that the armament which was to be sent out was altogether inadequate, and the vote was passed with the understanding "that the armament to be provided by the Imperial Government would be of the best and latest pattern of breech-loading ordnance and capable of resisting attacks by the heaviest modern ironclads.”
Sir GEORGE BOWEN did not fail to represent strongly on several occasions the wish · of the community that Hongkong should be properly defended, and Generals SArgent and CAMERON have supported his recommandations with all the weight of their long professional experience.
The result of these recommendations has been that the scheme of defence has been very carefully re-considered. Instead of three new works and remounting guns in existing works, the new scheme of defence includes four new works and three new sites for single heavy guns, and, whilst omitting the works originally proposed at Quarry Bay, it substitutes a complete defence of the Ly-ee Mun Channel. The weight and power of the guns have been so greatly increased that much more massive and costly foundations and emplacements have to be provided for them. An idea of the difference in the guns now proposed from those originally contemplated may be gathered from the revised estimate of cost of the armaments, which, instead of being £37,500, will now amount to £118,500.
In June, 1885, the Major-General Commanding represented to the Governor the necessity of a large increase in the amount contributed by the Colony, in order to meet the cost of the improved and extended works of defence, and, in accordance with the Colonial Regulations, the Governor referred the question to the Secretary of State before asking the Council to vote the necessary sum. The Despatch now laid before the Council conveys the sanction of Her Majesty's Government to the application for such It will be seen from this Despatch and its enclosure that the revised estimate of the cost of constructing the Defence Works is £116,000 instead of £55,625.
vote.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies has no doubt that the Council will loyally consent to vote the necessary amount for completing the Defences of Hongkong in an efficient manner. The Officer Administering the Government therefore asks the Council to vote the additional sum of £60,375. It appears doubtful whether any part will be spent before 1887, but it is necessary that a vote should be passed to enable the Royal Engineers' Department to enter into contracts for the execution of the works. Government House, Hongkong, 16th February, 1886.
W. H. MARSH.
(2.) The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to re-vote the following
sums:-
353 of 1886,
C.S.O. Amount due to the late Contractor for the Scavenging of the City during
the first 6 days of November, 1885,
Government House, Hongkong, 16th February, 1886.
W. H. MARSH.
.$ 296.00
(3.) The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to re-vote the following
sums:-
0.9.0. 2582 of 1885.
For re-building the retaining wall below the Civil Hospital, damaged by
the recent fire,
.$ 8,000.00
C.S.0.
2369 of 1885.
For building a retaining wall to prevent landslips at the rear of Inland
Lot 696, East of the Government Civil Hospital,
.$ 945.00
Owing to the late period of the year at which these votes were passed (November, 1885), it was not possible to complete the works.
Government House, Hongkong, 16th February, 1886.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that these Votes be referred to the Finance Committee. The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and passed.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.