CAB7-1 — Page 19

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The Committe are informed that the police force in the Colony numbers 650 men, of whom 110 are Europeans, 176 Indians, and 340 Chinese. The organization of this force would seem to point to the possibility of supplementing the European garrison by increasing the gun Lascars to such number as may be found adequate to assist the Royal Artillery in working the guns, and of raising a battalion of Chinese, who have proved themselves fair soldiers when properly commanded, and who, the Committee have been informed by Colonel Moggridge, lately Commanding Royal Engineer in Hong Kong, would, in his opinion, willingly take service, and would be reliable.

The Committee venture to offer this suggestion in consequence of the strongly expressed opinion of His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-chief, as to the necessity of not increasing the garrisons of stations abroad by the addition of British troops. The experiment is one which would require careful management locally; but in the proportions suggested, if the native detachments were mixed up for duty with European detachments, it is possible that the Colony would not incur risk. The Com- mittee also learn from the Governor's despatch No. 20 of the 13th February, 1878, that assistance might be expected from the Portuguese inhabitants to the extent of three companies.

Even with the increased garrison recommended, it will be necessary to maintain a careful watch round the island, that timely warning may be given of the approach of an enemy's squadron, and it might be advisable to throw up field works for the protection of the various passes between Quarry Bay on the east, and Mount Davis on the west, by which an enemy who had effected a landing in any of the numerous bays might move to the attack of the batteries or town. Considering also the great extent of the harbour, and the great interests involved in its security, the Committee recommend that two gun-boats, each mounting an 18-ton gun, should be maintained at the station, also that a small supply of submarine mines should be sent to be laid between Green and Stonecutters Islands, and between the latter and the mainland.

The Committee do not recommend that the great expense and labour of completely barring these two channels by submarine mines should be incurred, but they conceive that the fact of mines being sent to the station, and some of them being placed in position, supplemented with a liberal use of dummies, and a prohibition of the use of any but the Sulphur Channel, a moral effect would be produced which would contribute much to the security of the station, especially against attack by ships of a Power which has no port of refit within 1,600 miles.

The estimated cost of the proposed works is as follows:

Eight 63-ton rifled guns..

Seven 64-pounder rifled guns

Batteries, magazines, &c.

Two gun-boats..

Submarine mines

Total

•

•

**

£

8,000

4,200

30,000

26,000

7,000

75,200

The Committee having stated the force necessary for occupying the proposed works at Mauritius, Ceylon, Singapore, and Hong Kong, have to suggest for consideration whether, with a view to reducing the demand for European troops, native regiments might not on emergency be sent from India to those stations.

(Signed)

ALEX. MILNE. HENRY BARKLY. J. L. A. SIMMONS.

[520]

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