CAB11-57-10 — Page 96

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CHAPTER VI (i).

58

4. He will be prepared to advise the Governor with regard to the enforcing of such Ordinances as provide for the removal from the Colony of all but natural-born or naturalized subjects of the King, the prevention of the Chinese from being at large in the streets at night, the swearing-in of special constables, and the search for and seizure of arms.

5. He will also give effect to the Order in Council of the 26th October, 1896, which confers upon the Governor full powers to enforce the acquisition of buildings and lands for military purposes, to proclaim military law, to destroy buildings, to impress civil labour, animals, vehicles, food supplies, &c., and to suspend any law, rule, or ordinance which may interfere with the defence of the Colony.

In the performance of many of these duties and responsibilities the Colonial Secretary will find it necessary to consult with various Departments of Government and to secure their active co-operation. He should be kept acquainted with all measures for the public welfare adopted by any individual head of Department, and he shall, if necessary, require any such head of Department or other responsible officer to report in detail the manner in which the duties intrusted to him are being carried out.

(2.)-Action by the Colonial Treasurer.

1. The Colonial Treasurer must hold himself in readiness to provide every facility possible for the prompt payment of all necessary liabilities with the Colony.

2. He will open an account for war expenditure (i.e., on traffic regulations), and should be furnished with an estimate of probable initial and subsequent expenditure from Colonial funds.

3. It is expected that the Military Authorities will co-operate with the Colonial Government in providing the Treasurer with the fullest information obtainable regarding actual and probable expenditure; and it is also hoped that the local banks will give him every assistance in their power with regard to any difficulties which may arise in connection with questions of currency.

4. All the Colonial funds are in the Hong Kong Bank, there is about 1,900,000 dollars worth of sub coin belonging to the Government in the Hong Kong Bank. This sum is kept in a vault together with the Bank deposit for excess of bank-note issue. Three keys are necessary to open the vault, one is kept by the Colonial Secretary, one by the Treasurer, and one by the Bank.

(3.)-Action by the Director of Public Works.

1. This officer will have instructions-subject to modification from time to time- with regard to pressing on works of military importance, such as the new Colonial Powder Magazine and strategic roads.

2. Great importance is attached by the Colonial Defence Committee to the early completion of the topographical survey of the new territory. The Director of Public Works should therefore devote his best attention to securing rapid progress with that

work.

3. He will understand that in time of war all the resources of his Department must be carefully husbanded, and provision made for possible shortage of labour. If necessary all public works, except those directly bearing upon the defence of the Colony or the extension of its internal resources, must be stopped during the continuance of hostile relations.

4. Strenuous effort must be made to concentrate the available labour upon those works which are considered by the Government, in consultation with the Naval and Military Authorities, to be of most pressing importance.

5. During the progress of war it is possible that the Director of Public Works will from time to time be called upon at short notice to assist the Royal Engineers with labour or material in the reconstruction or repairing of forts, roads, or other public defence works. Any assistance which he is in a position to give will be rendered by him as promptly and effectively as circumstances permit.

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