Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 579

[i]

Appendix No. 2.

Questions sent to Colonel The O'Gorman, D.A.A.G., Hongkong.

HONGKONG, 4th March, 1898.

SIR, I am requested, on behalf of the Commission appointed to enquire into the importation, manufacture, and sale of alcoholic liquors in Hongkong, to ask if you will be so kind as to favour the Commissioners with information on the following points :- 1. The number of cases of drunkenness reported to you during the year 1897

amongst the Garrison, also the strength of the Garrison.

2. To what extent does ordinary and excessive drunkenness affect the career

of a soldier ? Give instances.

3.

your

From experience do

you

consider that the amount of drunkenness in

the Garrison is excessive? Do you think that the excess, if any, is due to the quality of the liquor rather than to the quantity consumed?

4. Have a considerable number of good conduct men become bad or indifferent

during their stay in Hongkong on account of alcoholism?

5. Is the canteen under military control? (A) Whence is the liquor obtained? (B) How far is the canteen effective in inducing the soldiers to neglect the city drinking taverns and saloons?

The Commissioners will be further much obliged if you will favour them with auy remarks on the objects of their enquiry. A copy of the Commission is enclosed herewith.

I have the honour to be,

Colonel THE O'GORMAN, D.A.A.G.

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

FRANK BROWNE, Secretary for the Commission.

To FRANK BROWSE, Esq.,

Secretary to the Commission.

HONGKONG, 5th May, 1898.

SIR,-With reference to your letter of the 4th March I have the honour to render a report upon the subject of the consumption of alcoholic liquors by soldiers in Hongkong. In sending this report I beg to observe that I much regret the delay, which was caused by my having to obtain much of the information from Singapore from the West Yorkshire Regiment who garrisoned Hongkong in 1897.

REPORT.

I assume that you refer to cases of drunkenness among British Troops because the Indian soldiers' consumption of alcoholic spirit is infinitisimal and the report would be misleading if these Troops were considered in the calculation.

(b) It also would not be right to include Non-Commissioned Officers in this report because a Sergeant, to keep his rank, must be a sober man, a single case of drunkenness might lead to his reduction and would militate against his claims to promotion to rank of Color-Sergeant, Quarter-Master-Sergeant, Sergeant-Major, or to any position of responsibility or trust, regimental or garrison: besides which a Sergeant is a man of superior education and ability, and he takes pride in supporting creditably his position.