Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 581

[ iv ]

soldier are the growth of recent years and they tend to make him fairly content with his lot so long as he remains a temperate and well-conducted man.

Unfortunately in Hongkong the Barracks are in the town and access to taverns is easy, therefore men who are easily tempted have unusual facilities for falling into vice.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

N. P. O'GORMAN, Lt.-Col.,

Chief Staff Officer.

(Minutes on Answers.)

This report is of no use to us unless Lieutenant-Colonel The O'Gorman will tell us how many of the 951 cases of drunkenness during 1897 were accompanied by crimes of violence or were clearly the result of that inferior liquor which Commanding Officers speak of as driving men mad.

Taking his reply to Question 3 in connection with Surgeon-Colonel EVATT'S report I should say the serious cases were very few or none, but we ought to have as accurate information as possible.

10th May, 1898.

J. J. F.

This report contains the expression of an opinion that there exist in the Colony cheap Chinese liquors which have the effect of making men "mad” and “violent.” This should be capable of verification or refutation.

10th May, 1898.

R. F. C.

I have seen Colonel THE O'GORMAN subsequent to his furnishing this report, and I asked him how many of these 951 cases of drunkenness were accompanied by crimes of violence, and he stated that he could not say that one was, adding further that in his experience of many stations Hongkong is one of the best for the private soldier.

W. C. H. H.

14th May, 1898.

Questions sent to G. Maclean, Esq., R.N., Deputy-Inspector General of Fleets and Hospitals, H. M. Naval Hospital, Hongkong; Surgeon-Colonel Evatt, P.M.O., Hongkong; Dr. Atkinson, P.C.M.O., Hongkong.

HONGKONG, 28th February, 1898.

SIR,-On behalf of the Commission which has been appointed to enquire into the sale, manufacture, and consumption of spirituous liquors in Hongkong, I have the honour to ask if you will kindly furnish information on the following points:-

1. The number of patients suffering from alcoholism admitted to hospital, or

coming under treatment during the year 1897.

2. Whether any of the cases showed symptoms of suffering from any intoxicant

other than alcohol; and, if so, from what intoxicant.