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CHAPTER III (C) and (D).

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20. Food.-Hong Kong is favourably situated for resisting a long siege, being the Far Eastern depôt for all kinds of supplies used both by Europeans and natives; in fact, there are probably few places where so large a stock of provisions could be obtained in so short a time.

There is estimated to be enough flour for the whole population to last 312 days. There are two large sugar refineries, and a store of sugar sufficient to last for years. There is tea in ample quantity, salt, pepper to last for a year, but the stock of preserved meat and salt pork does not exceed 40,000 lbs. Within 12 miles from Kowloon Point the mainland furnishes a fair supply of vegetables.

In fact, the only portion of the European's food limited in quantity is fresh meat, and there is no pasturage within the Colony for either sheep or oxen. No more than eight days' supply of fresh meat can be fed by the contractor within the Colony, but as long as China is open to us there can be no scarcity of live stock; if China were closed to us supplies of tinned meat, &c., would have to be provided for the garrison. The present supply in the Colony of tinned meat, bacon, ham, cheese, &c., is variable, and not to be depended upon.

The ocean gives us a plentiful supply of fish for the whole population, both European and Asiatic.

All the Consuls in the neighbouring countries have been communicated with as to supplies, but the open market seems to be the only sensible way of obtaining an increase in our food-stuffs.

The question of food supply to the civil population is dealt with in Chapter VI.

21. Fuel.-There are ample stocks of fuel (coal, wood, and mineral oil) in the Colony, sufficient to last for six months, and if the worst comes to the worst the growing timber of the Colony would furnish a supply lasting for a similar period.

22. Water.—The reservoirs give an ample supply of water, and no alteration will be necessary in the present method of distribution by pipes and transport.

(iii) Barracks.

23. 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

The Coolie Corps will be housed as described above,

reserves.

(D.)-Action by Officer Commanding Royal Artillery.

1. He will arrange with the C.O.O. as to the time of issue of armament, gun ammunition, and artillery stores, &c., from Ordnance Stores, drawing any reserve that may be in store.

2. He will take over from the O.C.A.S.C. the coolies required for working the ammunition lifts and for moving the

d for moving the guns of the movable armament into their respective positions.

3. He will arrange with the District Engineer as to the preparation of the howitzer platforms at High West, Mount Kellet, Mount Cameron, and Mount Parker, and any necessary works in connection with the other gun positions.

4. He will take immediate steps in conjunction with the C.O.O. for providing and issuing to all Chinese employed in any military capacity in the batteries the approved distinctive khaki blouse.

5. He will at once arrange for connecting up the telephones for the R.A. chain of command, and will also arrange for telephone operators in the Fire Commanders' posts at Stonecutters West, Belchers, and Kowloon East, which are connected to main fortress command lines.

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