Sessional_Paper_1890 — Page 373

369

No.2

HONGKONG.

DESPATCHES RESPECTING INCREASED MILITARY CONTRIBUTION.

Laid before the Legislative Council, by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

Eastern No. 49.

Hongkong.

No. 8.

SIR,

DOWNING STREET,

20th January, 1890.

Referring to previous correspondence respecting the fortifications recently erected at Hongkong and their armament, I have now the honour to address you on the subject of the additional garrison required by those fortifications and on the incidence of its cost; matters to which Her Majesty's Government have given most anxious and careful consideration.

2. You are aware that in 1884 it was arranged that the Colony should construct the works, and that the Imperial Government should provide the armament, of the proposed defences. The cost was then estimated as follows:-

Works Armament

£

...55,625

.37,500

the incidence being 60 per cent. to Colonial, and 40 per cent. to Imperial, revenues.

3. This estimate was subsequently increased to-

Works...

Armament

£

.116,000

..153,910

£

9,017

..... 46,500

without including the submarine mining defences, which are estimated to cost-

Works......

Submarine mining vessels and stores ....

so that the total cost of the defences and the division of that cost will be as follows:-

Colonial.

Construction of Works-Fortifications........

£ ..116,000

Imperial.

£

Armaments.

.153,910

Submarine mining buildings, &c. ....

9,017

vessels and stores....

46,500

""

209,427

Total....

•

.325,427

The incidence being 36 per cent. to Colonial and 64 per cent. to Imperial Revenues, as against 60 per cent. to Colonial and 40 per cent. to Imperial revenues contemplated in 1884. It will be observed that in accordance with the original division of charge the Colony ought to repay the 9,0177. spent on submarine mining buildings.

Governor Sir GEORGE W. DES VEUX, K.C.M.G.,

&Co

&c.,

&c.