Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 541

APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE LAND COMMISSION OF 1886-87.

Appendix, No. 9.

RETURNS FURNISHED BY THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES.

The Major-General Commanding in China and Straits Settlements, to the Officer Administrating

the Government of Hongkong.

49

SIR,

HEAD QUARTERS,

HONGKONG, 26th February, 1887.

With reference to your Excellency's letter No. 37 G. of the 11th instant, and the questions of the Land Commission to which my attention is invited; I have the honour, in forwarding a Copy of the Commanding Royal Engineers' Memorandum thereon, to state, as regards my own opinion, that the removal of the Garrison "to places outside the city limits," would be a highly imprudent and dangerous proceeding.

The first requisite, in the event of Hongkong being attacked, is that its small Garrison should be placed as is fortunately the case at present in the most central position for rapidly manning the harbour forts, occupying the passes over the hills at the back of the town and their approaches from the South, and pouring in reinforcements wherever danger threatens.

A glance at the map will shew that there is no other possible locality outside the city limits which fulfils these conditions, especially as regards the land front facing South the portion to be defended extending only from Stanley Gap on the one side to Belcher's Point on the other.

I might proceed further to shew how necessary is a deep sea frontage for our communications with the harbour forts and in connexion with the Arsenal, Laboratory, Commissariat and Submarine Mining Establishments, but hope all this will be readily understood, and that I need say no more of our requirements in a tactical or administrative sense.

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For the protection of the European Community and as a plate of refuge for them, the Government Officials, Treasury, &c., &c., the present cantonment is equally well adapted. It is close to our Government Offices and business quarter of town, has the necessary clear space nearly all round it for defensive purposes, and stands in the most central position for striking out right or left in the event of a rising of the enormous and ever increasing Chinese Population.

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In a sanitary point of view the present Barracks are very satisfactory more particularly those on the sea shore, and occupying new ground has always proved most injurious to the health of the troops for several years afterwards.

Morcover our present position on completion of the Praya extension offers ample means of expansion to meet the requirements of a largely increased Garrison and provide for a large Hospital on shore on the breaking up of the old hulk, "Meeanee," now used as a Hospital.

It appears to me also very questionable whether such removal, as suggested, would prove a financial success for the Colony, considering the costly character of the Barrack and other Military Buildings and the large extent of ground they cover consequent on their detached state (for sanitary reasons) and the open spaces to be left for parade purposes.

Neither would the Medical Authorities probably agree to an occupation of new Barracks for two years from the time the foundations were laid and meanwhile the money expended would be unremunerative and the troops have to remain where they are.

Taking all this into consideration, together with the increased area to be allotted to provide for a corresponding increase of Garrison,--would the profit realized by the Public on any exchange of ground (a considerable sea frontage being indispensable) cover the cost of all the buldings required for a new Cantonment?

The higher considerations referred to in the earlier part of this letter will, I feel sure, prevent the War Department from entering into any scheme for the removal of the Garrison from its present Cantonment and I have only touched upon the financial question in order to allay, if possible, any disappointment in the matter.

I am as desirous as any member of the Legislature of seeing the town of Victoria improved in the direction indicated, Faya extended and tramway communication established from Belcher's Point to Causeway Bay and I hope much further still,—but all this can be done I submit without any removal of the Garrison.