CAB11-57-12 — Page 77

Page 77

CHAPTER III (F) and (G),

Page 77

84

15. Water. The reservoirs give an ample supply of water in ordinary years, but long droughts have shown that in some years the storage capacity is insufficient.

The Colonial Government have, however, now under construction at Tytam Tuk works which will increase the supply available on the Island, for tiding over the dry season, from 741,000,000 to 935,000,000 gallons. A reservoir to store 350,000,000 is also under construction at Kowloon.

(iii.) Barracks.

16. No special arrangements are required for housing of troops in barracks. When distributed for defence, the majority of the garrison will be accommodated under canvas or in mat-sheds, the barracks in cantonments being guarded by the two reserves. The Coolie Corps will be housed as described above.

(G.)—Action by Principal Medical Officer.

(i.) At the "Precautionary" Stage.

The arrangements for treatment of sick, &c., at the "precautionary" stage are the same as exist in peace, and with the exception that medical orderlies and equipment are distributed to Sections as shown in Table B (i),

(ii.) At the "War" Stage.

1. The existing military hospitals are shown in Table G (i), and give accommoda- tion for 424 sick and wounded.

2. The P.M.O., on mobilization, will at once arrange for the establishment of six dressing stations, and for the distribution to them of the officers and other ranks of the R.A.M.C. and I.M.S. according to Table G (ii), and of medical stores and surgical equipment according to Table G (iii). The R.A.M.C. and I.M.S. will proceed to the different Sections of the defence with the troops detailed for those Sections.

3. He will arrange for the increase of the accommodation in-

(a.) The Military Hospital, Victoria, by 100 beds for British soldiers and 25 beds for Asiatic soldiers, to be placed in the three lower blocks of Victoria Barracks;

(b.) The Military Hospital, Kowloon, by 125 beds for Asiatic soldiers to be placed in the southern blocks of Whitfield Barracks vacated by the companies on Section duty.

4. The civil medical assistance required and the sources of its supply are shown in Table G (iv). Six local practitioners who have agreed to serve in the military hospitals will be distributed thereto on reporting to the P.M.O. (under instructions they will receive from the P.C.M.O.). They will receive pay at the rate of 500 dollars per mensem, The Chinese attendants, cooks, and ward coolies will receive respectively 15 dollars, 17 dollars, and 9 dollars per mensem.

5. A sufficient stock of medicines, medical appliances, &c., to last for one year, exists in the command for the sick and wounded estimated for.

6. Sick and wounded from the troops, including the Volunteers, after being attended to at the dressing stations, will be transferred, if necessary, to the military hospitals at Victoria or Kowloon. Officers seriously sick and wounded will be sent to the Government Civil Hospital, where the Maternity Hospital of 12 beds will be made available for them, so that they may have the advantage of female nursing. Sick and wounded of the Chinese Coolie Corps will be sent to the Tung-Wa Hospital.

7. As the regimental stretcher-bearers would only be available for carrying the wounded out of action, dhoolies and coolie-bearers are provided in Table G (i) for the longer transport, but would be only demanded as required.

Page 77

Page 77

Page 77