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CHAPTER III (G).
(5.) Manner of obtaining supplies; European rations; frozen meat.-The Contractor is compelled, by the conditions of the contract, to keep a reserve of 125 head of cattle, which equals the amount shown in the table.
The further quantities available consist of about 150 head of cattle and 25,000 lb. of frozen mutton.
All sheep and goats available would be required for the Indian troops.
Pork is available, but not usually appreciated by the medical authorities, has not been taken into account, except for Chinese.
Bread-stuffs.
It is anticipated that bread for all troops will be able to be issued.
Flour is locally obtainable in large quantities, and under the most unfavourable circumstances there would be half a million sacks of 50 lb. each available. Three months' supply for normal garrison is maintained in Army Stores.
The bakery accommodation is sufficient, and no trouble with the Chinese employés is apprehended, and the coal supply is ample. Biscuits would be issued to stations difficult to reach as a reserve.
Vegetables.
Vegetables are imported from Canton in large quantities. Jam will be purchased locally by the Officer i/c Supplies.
Groceries.
Sugar.-Procurable in any quantity from two local sugar refineries. Salt.-Chinese salt is available in large quantities. Tea. Tea of all descriptions is available.
Coffee. Proposed to be given as a special issue.
Coal.-Procurable in large quantities locally.
Fuel and Light.
Wood.- Kindling wood is not procurable locally in any great quantities, but there is sufficient supplemented by coal to last 91 days both for Europeans and others, and 10 days for Chinese.
Oil.The Standard Oil Company and the Dutch Petroleum Company both have large depôts in Hong Kong, from where sufficient quantities would be procurable.
Hospital Supplies.
Wines and spirits.-Wines, spirits, condensed milk, and soda water procurable in large quantities. Fresh milk, eggs, extract of carnis, bovril, cornflour, &c., also procurable in sufficient quantities locally.
Indian Rations.
Arrangements have been made whereby a reserve of 91 days' rations of imported articles for 2,200 men will be maintained by Contractor. This is equivalent to three months' supply for the ordinary peace garrison.
Ment.-Sufficient goats and sheep locally procurable in Hong Kong.
Atta. Reserve (atta) maintained by Contractor. Further quantities (rice) procurable by local purchase in Hong Kong. Ghee, dhall, onions, curry-stuffs.-Sufficient procurable locally.
Chinese Rations.
Ample available locally. One month's reserve of rice for 600 Chinese will be kept by Contractor under new contract.
Cold Storage.
Arrangements can be made to store three months' beef and mutton with the Company.
(i.) At the Precautionary Stage.
5. European troops going out for precautionary stage will take with them two days' "mobilization rations" (preserved meat, biscuit, and groceries) which they already hold on charge. They will, however, be regarded as an emergency reserve, and will not be consumed without orders from the Officers i/e Supplies, or in the event of daily fresh rations not being delivered.
as
Troops remaining in their barracks will continue to indent for and draw their rations in peace.
Troops who have gone into mobilization positions will be rationed according to indents sent in to the Officer i/c Supplies by the section or Fire Commanders, these rations will be sent out daily under arrangements made by the O.C. A.S.C. Special instructions relating to the making out of the indents are in the possession of the Officers Commanding Sections and Fire Commands (the same applies to the war stage). Indian.-Indian troops, on account of the varying nature of their rations, will report to O.C. A.S.C. the course they propose to adopt, and arrange accordingly with the Officer i/c Supplies.
Special instructions relating to the making out of the indents are in the possession of the Officers Commanding Section and Fire Commands (the same applies to the war stage).
(ii.) At the War Stage.
6. The Director of Supplies and Transport will at this stage cause two main ration depôts to be formed, one at the Soldiers' Club, Victoria, and the other at Sacred Hill, Kowloon.
7. He will also form sub-depôts for the various sections of the defence, as under, where one week's rations of preserved meat, biscuit, groceries, potatoes, onions, and
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