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From 120 to 150 men might, under the above conditions, be raised, and, if formed into an artillery corps, one or more guns in the various batteries might be handed over to them, which they would have to man and fight if the place were attacked.

them.

The working of the mountain and field-guns might also be entrusted to

If formed into an infantry corps, one of the positions at the gaps might be assigned to them, but on the whole it would be better to form them into an artillery corps.

One difficulty presents itself in the formation of any Volunteer corps at Hong Kong, and that is that nearly the whole of the young men from whom the greater part of such a corps would be raised are employed very closely in merchants' and bankers' offices, and the short time of daylight after their office hours would permit of but little drill by day. This might be obviated to some extent by providing covered drill sheds lighted with gas for work after dark.

I have, therefore, in framing estimates, not taken the provision of a Volun- teer corps as a certainty.

The police in the Colony is a strong and well-disciplined body. Besides the water-police and those specially employed, there are, in addition to the staff-

Appendix No. 4.

HONG KONG.

Artillery corps of Volunteers

should be raised if possible.

Difficulty in forming any Volun- tecr corps.

No sure certainty of raisin

Volunteer force.

Police.

Europeans Indians Chinese

Inspectors. Sergeants. Constables.

10

18

46

Strength of police in Colony.

9

153

5

165

of whom, at present, only 1 European and 6 Sikhs are mounted.

If the number of troopers were increased in time of war, and there would be no difficulty in doing so, as all Sikhs can ride well and ponies can be procured, they would act as scouts and render unnecessary any specially raised force of mounted men.

It is probable that, in the event of war, they could be spared from their civil duties, for as was the case in 1878, when war with Russia was anticipated, great numbers of Chinese would leave the Colony.

In any circumstances, however, it would be better to depend on the police for scouting purposes than to go to the expense of raising a special corps.

The country is so unsuitable for the use of cavalry, that mounted men could only be employed to patrol the roads on the south side of the island, to give information should anything occur on the line of coast to the nearest police- station, from which telegraphic or telephonic communication could be sent to head-quarters, or to the posts at the gaps, and if telegraphic communications were interrupted they would be available as messengers.

For this duty the Sikh police troopers are well adapted. This would provide for all the mounted force required.

To man all the guns proposed, including 64-pounders, field and mountain- guns, will require, according to the Committee's calculations, 562 men.

Country unsuitable for operations of cavalry.

Scouts required.

Sikh troopers from police force adapted for the service,

Artillery.

Number of artillerymen re-

There would be, when the extra garrison battery referred to in the War quired. Office Memorandum is supplied, only 388 men available, leaving 156 to be pro- vided.

There would be no difficulty in raising two extra companies of gun lascars, as was proved in June last, when a company was raised in a very short time by Colonel Hall. But if more lascars are raised it will be absolutely necessary to send out more artillery officers, some of whom should know Hindustani. Even at present, when there are two companies of gun-lascars in the Colony, there are only, beside the Colonel Commanding Royal Artillery, one field-officer and one subaltern posted to the garrison battery at the station.

However, before taking any action in this matter of raising more gun lascars, it would be well to see whether a local force of Volunteers of the required strength could not be obtained.

With reference to artillery requirements, a certain number of ponies, say thirty, might be trained to carry the mountain guns and their equipment; but coolies would probably do as well and be much cheaper.

As before stated, ten non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Engineers are required for submarine mining service, and in addition it would be advisable to have a detachment of fifty men to prepare roads for destruction, to lay out entrenchments, to repair damages during action, &c. But as there would necessarily be a great demand for engineers in all parts of the world during war, if fifty men could not be spared, fifteen intelligent non-commissioned officers and men at least should be sent out to direct and oversee civilian labour.

A corps of 100 Chinese labourers to act as pioneers should be raised when wanted. The amount of pay required by these men, as well as by all other coolies required for military service, may be estimated at 30 cents a-day.

Extra companies of gun lascars.

More artillery officers required.

Ponies for artillery purposes. Coolics probably as good.

Engineers.

Chinese pioneers and labourers.

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