440
Revenue of the Postal Service. The net profit of the Postal Department after deducting $316,756.56 as Expenditure, amounted to $91,702.36 being an increase of $11,012.56 more than that realized in 1903.
Books containing 1, 2 and 4-cent stamps to the value of $1 were available from the beginning of the year and were purchased to the number of 3,040. A direct exchange of money orders with the Transvaal Post Office was arranged. British Postal Orders are now cashed in Hongkong and the British Postal Agencies in China.
The Parcel Post Convention concluded with the United States of America came into force at the beginning of the year.
1
All branches continue to show an increase over the return for the previous. year.
XI-MILITARY FORCES AND EXPENDITURE.
(a.) REGULAR FORCES.
The following return shows the number and composition of the Forces employed in the Colony during 1904:
CORPS.
*
EUROPEANS.
INDIANS.
CHINESE.
TOTALS.
General Staff, Garrison Staff,
Royal Garrison Artillery,
Hongkong-Singapore Bn. R. G. A.,
Royal Engineers,
Chinese S. M. M. Co., R. E., 1st Sherwood Foresters,.
5
3
17
625
10
9
13
196
11
446
Army Service Corps,
20
Royal Army Medical Corps,
10
41
A. O. Department and Corps,
31
A. P. Department and Corps,
8
110th Mahratta L. I.,
93rd Burma Infantry,
114th Mahrattas,
2nd Royal West Kent Regiment,...]
47
H∞∞∞ NÕμF: 565: or
Officers.
Warrant
Officers.
N, C. O.'s
& Men.
Native
Officers.
W. O.,
N. C. O.'s
& Men,
N. (.0.'s
& Men.
5
• 3
642
10
7
389
415
209
69
69
457
24
51
38
- 11
14
698
720
14
690
712
14
689
711
48
Totals.
105
1,426
49 2,466 69
4,115
20
(6.) COLONIAL CONTRIBUTION.
The Colony contributed $1,270,741.03 (being the statutory contribution of per cent. of revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the Regular Forces in the Colony and Barrack Services.
(c.) VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The total establishment of the Con's is 426, of all ranks. The strength on the 31st December, 1904, was 272, made up as follows:-Staff, 8; two Garrison Artillery Companies, 202; one Engineer Company, 32; Band 3; Troop 27.
A small mounted Corps was formed in the latter part of the year under the designation of the longkong Volunteers Troop, for purposes of scouting and to act as orderlies in time of war.
An association called the Hongkong Volunteer Reserve Association was also formed.
Members who must be over 35 years of age are required to make themselves proficient in rifle shooting and undertake to enrol themselves under the Volunteer Ordinance in the event of hostilities. The Association numbered ninety- six members at the close of the year.
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