Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 584

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be so kind as to favour the Commissioners with information on the following points:

1. The number of cases of drunkenness occurring in Hongkong from the Fleet, which were reported to you during 1897, also the number of men in the Fleet on this station during 1897.

2. To what extent does ordinary and excessive drunkenness, respectively,

affect the carcer of a sailor or marine ? Quote instances.

3. From your experience do you consider that the amount of drunkenness in

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

1. Have a considerable number of good conduct nien become bad or indifferent

during their stay in Hongkong on account of alcoholism?

5. Is the Royal Naval Seamen's Club, Queen's Road East, under naval control?

(A.) Whence is the liquor obtained? (B.) How far is this Club suc- cessful in inducing the men to neglect the city drinking taverns or saloons ?

The Commissioners will be further much obliged if you will favour them with any remarks on the objects of their enquiry.

A copy of the Commission is enclosed herewith. Your communications will be considered as confidential in any respect that you may consider necessary.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

FRANK BROWNE, Secretary for the Commission.

V. A. LAWFORD, Esq., R.N.,

Secretary to Commodore.

H.M.S. "TAMAR" AT HONGKONG.

12th April, 1898.

SIR,-In reply to your letter of 5th March, I have the honour to forward here- with the attached reports (5) from ships which were present at Hongkong on the date of your enquiry.

2. As such cases of drunkenness as ordinarily occur in a ship are not reported specifically to the Senior Officer (although shown in detail in the quarterly returns of punishment), it is not practicable to give a definite answer to your first question. The number of men in the Fleet on this station during 1897 averaged between 5,000 and 6,000.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

VINCENT A. LAWFORD, Secretary to Commodore.

The Secretary to the Commission on Alcoholic Liquors,

Hongkong.