Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 640

637

No. 45

99

HONGKONG.

DESPATCHES RELATIVE TO THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCCUPATION OF THE NEW TERRITORY.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

(Governor to Secretary of State.)

No. 265.

SIR,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 15th September, 1899.

In my despatch No. 107 of 28th April, I regret to find that in the account of the events connected with the occupation of the New Territory I omitted to mention the services of the Hongkong Volun-

teers.

2. Having received information on the 16th April that there was a project on foot for attacking the Yaumati Suburb and Kowloon from the Castle Peak direction and finding that large numbers of Chinese had been observed at Castle Peak with banners, &c., I requested the Naval Authorities to send a vessel of war to the Yaumati side of Kowloon Peninsula, there to keep her search light on the northern shore, and another to Kowloon Bay, to search the Chinese city with her light, while the Officer in Command of the Troops was requested to send a strong patrol to the Kowloon peninsula.

3. A considerable portion of the Garrison was away at Tái pó-hü with Major-General GASCOIGNE, and after consultation I agreed with Colonel ELSDALE, R.E., that having regard to the peculiar condition of Hongkong it would not be prudent to further reduce the regular Garrison. I therefore ordered that the duty should be entrusted to the Hongkong Volunteers, and having regard to the fact that the order was issued only at 10 pm.. I think the Hongkong Volunteers deserve credit for the large muster that was able to march off at 10.45 p.m. How the duty was performed the attached report will show. The result of the practical demonstration of the utility of the force has been shown by the increase in numbers of the Corps from 120 to 350 men. At their present strength and constituted as they are I agree with the Major-General Commanding that the Hongkong Volunteers form a valuable addition to the strength of the Garrison.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

The Right Honourable

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.

HENRY A. BLAKE, Governor, &c.

(Enclosure in Governor's despatch to Secretary of State of 15th September, 1899.)

VOLUNTEERS.

REPORT ON DISTURBANCES

IN KOWLOON TERRITORY.

From Captain W. St. C. Bland, R.A., Adjutant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps, to Major M. M. Morris, R.A., Acting Commandant, Hongkong Volunicer Corps.

SIR,

HONGKONG, 11th September, 1899.

In accordance with instructions received from the Chief Staff Officer, and in the absence of Colonel R. B. MAINWARING, C.M.G., late Acting Commandant, Hongkong Volunteer Corps, I have the honour to submit the following report on the calling out of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps on the evening of 16th April, 1899.

At 10 p.m. on the above date orders were received from Colonel MAINWARING for 3 Maxim Guns manned by the "A" Machine Gun Company with an escort from the Field Battery to parade at Volunteer Head Quarters at 10.30 p.m. ready to march off.

4,000 rounds, ammunition per Machine Gun, and 30 rounds per Carbine were taken.