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Appendix No. 4.

upon it, and the Committee recommend that about fifty men be added to the “ cost of these fifty additional men would be about 850l. per annum.

HONG KONG.

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gun lascars."

As regards the infantry, the Committee recommend that an auxiliary force of non-

n-Europeans, about 1,200 to 1,500 strong, should be available at any time of apprehended attack. It is proposed that there should be a peace establishment cadre permanently embodied, the strength being 600 men, but the regiment to be complete in officers and non-commissioned officers, after the model of an Indian native corps. The best material for this force would be found among the Punjabees, and preferably in the Muzbee Sikhs. The force could be increased to the required extent by raising the men in India from among the trained soldiers-who are always ready for service-as soon as war appeared to be possible, the Indian Government being requested to facilitate the enrolment of the force. Of course the expense of raising and conveying to Hong Kong a force of Sikhs would be greater than that of enrolling Chinese, but the Committee can only recommend the employment of Chinese for combatant purposes on a small scale as an experiment. The Hakkas seem to be the best available material among the Chinese, as being physically stronger, braver, and more independent of Mandarin authority and influence than most other Chinese. The experiment might be tried in the first instance with a Chinese company officered by Europeans. The cost of such company would be about 3,0007. per 100 men per annum, including rations and clothing.

As regards the expense of the Sikh regiment, it would be about 3,8757. per 100 men per annum, including rations and clothing, but not the conveyance of the men to Hong Kong, which would cost about 800 per 100 men. The cost of barrack accommodation would be about 5,000l. per

100 men.

As to the part that the auxiliary forces recommended by the Committee should take in the defence of the Colony, the Committee propose that these forces should act in combination or conjunc tion with the regular infantry in protecting the batteries, and in resisting any landing or attack on the island.

As to the training of the auxiliary force, the Committee recommend that the same method should be followed as that in a native regiment in India. If necessary, assistance in training the force on its first establishment might be obtained from the regular troops in the garrison.

With reference to the provision of a small corps to assist the Royal Engineers in laying out sub- marine mines, the Committee think that the skilled labour being supplied by the Royal Engineers, the unskilled labour might be obtained, when required, from the resources of the Naval Yard and "Victor Emanuel," and also of the mercantile marine and local boat population.

The Committee are of opinion that the Volunteer force of Hong Kong should be augmented and fostered in every way. It would seem desirable that a capitation grant should be given to all "efficient;" that free ammunition be given to them yearly; that the expenses of annual practice should be borne by the Government; that a proper and gas-lighted drill-shed and armoury should be provided for them; that the efficient members of the corps should be exempt from sitting on juries; that the corps should be inspected periodically by the Officer commanding the troops in the Colony; that the force should be exercised in conjunction with the regular troops; that it should be armed with Martini-Henry rifles; and that every encouragement possible should be given to the Volunteers to compete for prizes and badges at the periodical exercises.

With reference to the remarks of his Excellency the Governor-vide Appendix (A),* No. 54-as to the basis of the Committee's investigation being too restricted, the Committee would explain that a land attack by Kowloon would be very difficult, as the neck of land is extremely defensible by field works, field artillery, and infantry, heavy guns not being required for the purpose.

As to the protection of the Pokfoolum Reservoir, that work cannot be seen from the sea, and it could be protected by a small infantry force from any attack upon it; and, with regard to Aberdeen, as the Kowloon Dock could be deepened to take the largest iron-clads in these waters, it would appear to be inexpedient to attempt the very formidable task of defending that place, which is only valuable for its docks.

(Signed)

Hong Kong, February 17, 1880.

W. J. STUART, Colonel, Chairman.

M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Colonial Treasurer. L. F. HALL, Lieutenant-Colonel, R.A., Commanding

Royal Artillery, China and Straits Settlements.

A. D. GEDDES, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding

27th Inniskillings.

C. V. CREAGH, Acting Police Magistrate.

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Inclosure 4 in No. 88.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

Governor Hennessy to Major-General Donovan.

Government House, Hong Kong, February 19, 1880.

I HAVE the honour to submit to your Excellency a copy of the Report of the Secret and Confidential Committee appointed in November last, under instructions from Her Majesty's Govern- ment, to consider my proposal of raising a local corps to supplement the small Imperial force ordinarily maintained in the Colony. I also inclose, for your Excellency's information, a copy of the Minute appointing the Committee, together with the two Appendices,§ containing the evidence taken by the Committee.

*Not printed.-See Inclosure 4 in No. 87.

Inclosure 3.

§ Not printed.

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See Inclosure 2 in No. 87.

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