CO129-029 - Bonham - 1849 [4-7]_Part_003

ordered from England, by the next Hail the several Departments Reference Remarks. of Hongkong for the year 1849-50. Description Quantity Foolscap Paper — 1o Quality — 25 Beams Blotting Paper. Ink Black - Quarti Half Buts. 4. Dozens Erwvelopers. - official_ 4. The Paper should be of three kinds; Suatily for Despatches que Puality per pointing purposes 577 Quality for Frafts amzer the use of preven tion to be Devcription be pactied separately. last received proved ve proved very susceptible of Hamp; the ink tried to dort after every Ica 20 3 had been B The Suk, also, was not well adapted to this dimate; in the hot weather the matter separating frei coloring. the Liquid Condered Referens Description Red Tape India Wabber. Ink stands—with cover Pencils. Jentinives Seating Wax Steel Bene Quantity 26 packets 2 Dog Pe Assorted a time seareely fit for His requested that the se be of that hard brown kind kumon as of hard 'Indian Wax", in the hot season the Cornaron be used.. descriptive last sentait, 1.3. of Quills, aur other varities of Stationery not included in the above Indent, there sufficient on hand to boot through Andit office. Hongkong 17th May, 1849 } (Signer) B.Caine. Auditor General. [Sovetory] Mani Colonial secretary. Deinater P.52 $41849 Inclosure in CONFIDENTIAL. Cupitied to the Civil frziument Requisition for Stationery to be fornyhow, to the year, $45–50. – 7# May 1849- Original bruund Military to be returned when Coltran Governor Bonham to Earl Grey.-(Received July 7, 1849.) (No. 53. Financial.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 23, 1849. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of despatch, No. 83, of the 19th December last, informing me that your Lordship's attention had been attracted by the large and continued amount of the expenditure of Hong Kong, and directing me to enquire into the expenditure of the island in all its various branches, civil, military, and naval, and to make a report thereon, whether by improved arrangements and more effectual co-operation between the branches of the public service, the heavy charges at present incurred may not be reduced. 2. In my despatch, No. 104, of the 26th December, 1848, I advised your Lordship that I had already reduced the civil establishments to 31,4471. showing a saving of 3,3401, to take effect from the first of this year, and in a separate despatch of 27th December, I offered certain suggestions for further future reductions as vacancies occurred. 3. In despatch, No. 10, of 25th January last, I stated my opinion of the force that appeared to me to be necessary to ensure the internal tranquillity of the colony, and proposed a reduction of 14,410%. 8s. 3d. annually. 4. The Naval Establishment for China is fixed at- 1 Frigate at Hong Kong. 1 Steamer ditto. 1 Brig of War at Whampoa. at Amoy. at Ningpo. at Shanghae. This establishment is quite ample for all purposes whatever; and if we could only be certain that the force stationed at Hong Kong would always be available, the military department would possibly be susceptible of even further reduction. 5. To enable me to comply with the instructions contained in your Lord- ship's despatch, I addressed Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Collier, the Naval Com- Enclosure No. 1, mander-in-chief, on the subject generally, and suggested that the naval force page 8. ordinarily stationed here might be supplied with provisions by the army com- missariat, and such munitions of war as the vessels on the coast might require, by the Ordnance department; and requested to know whether, with the exception of coals and spars, &c., and items of this description, which could be easily housed on shore, the "Minden," the hulk of a 74 gun ship lying in the harbour, would not be sufficient to hold all the other stores of a purely naval description. Enclosure No. 2, page 8. 6. His Excellency has favoured me with a reply, by which it would seem that in his opinion this amalgamation would not be convenient. From his letter I however find that the annual expense of the naval civil department amounts to The nature and quantity of stores do not appear. 2,3651. 17s. 1d. per annum. They are generally reported however to be infinitely greater than necessary, and have been collected and sent out no doubt under an impression that the naval force would be on a more cxtensive scale than it now is, or is ever likely to be. By Sir Henry Pottinger's letter No. 29 of 3rd April, 1843, to the Earl of Aber- deen, I find that he proposed the following as a fitting naval force for the station. 4 Frigates. 7 Brigs. 3 Large Steamers. 7. I am of opinion that all provisions and stores of every description beyond what may be required for a force of 1,500 men should be dispensed with; and it will then remain for the proper authorities in England to decide whether the army commissariat is not capable of performing a part of this duty. duties incidental to the army commissariat I shall hercafter remark. 8. The naval storehouses are in a most dilapidated state, and should be taken down. The Admiral states that he has recommended to the Lords Albany Commissioners of the Admiralty the occupation of what are termed the " Godowns," (forfeited to the Crown), as well adapted for naval purposes. this proposition I fully concur; but I understand that the Royal Engineers have estimated that it will cost 5000l. to put them in repair, their original cost being somewhat less than 3000Z. ! ! 14. The establishment of the Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler stands thus:- STOREKEEPER'S DEPARTMENT. Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler 1 Storeman £66 13 4 Victualling Money, £27 7 6 4 Boatmen, 5 Labourers 834 Additional extra Labourers for Service of Establishment House Rent for Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler Stationery Master commanding Store-Ship Minden," and as Queen's Harbour Master AGENT VICTUALLER'S DEPARTMENT. Agent Victualler, paid as Naval Storekeeper. 1 Storeman £66 13 4 Victualling Money, £27 7 6 1 Cooper 1 Cooper @ 6d. per day, borne on "Minden's" books as Cooper's d. 600 0 0 250 0 137 10 0 1,500 10 0 Victualling Money 1 Cooper @ 1s. 9d. per day, as Cooper's Crew Victualling Money - £31 18 9 5 Victualling Labourers 474 Additional extra Labourers Allowance Stationery Police Force £2,365 17 1 9. There however a capital house and godown, built at a cost of about 42,000 dollars, and for which the Government once offered 40,000 dollars, now for sale: it might possibly be had for 20 to 25,000 dollars, and had I any voice in this question, I should strongly advocate its being purchased, in preference to repairing the Albany Godowns. 10. In considering the quantity of naval provisions consumed in China, it should not be forgotten that fresh provisions are usually served out to the seamen. The annual expenditure of salt provisions on this account can be easily ascertained in England, and if it be comparatively small, a very limited space would I imagine be necessary for the storing of the other articles of provision, most, if not all of which, save spirits, are procurable on the spot. I would here, for easy reference, remark, that the European troops during six months of the year get fresh beef and bread daily, and that during the other six months, they are supplied with salt beef and pork ONCE in each week. Taking the regimental force therefore at 600 men, the expenditure of salt provisions may be estimated at from 70 to 80 tierces per annum. 11. His Excellency in his letter to my address speaks of 2,150 men being victualled at Hong Kong on the 6th of April. This, I need scarcely say, was accidental, the force having been collected with reference to the possibility of its being required to enforce our treaty right of entrance into the city of Canton. This will not occur again, and the force at Hong Kong is not likely to exceed one frigate and one steamer. 12. I wish with the Admiral that one half of the splendid range of stores erected for the Ordnance could be devoted to the navy, and I imagine that if we only had the proper quantity of stores for a force of 1,200 men military, they might be so occupied. 13. Before conclude my remarks on the naval department, I would observe that Sir Francis Collier appears to consider Hong Kong as the head- quarters of Her Majesty's ships; and should this be the case, then acorresponding reduction can be made at Trincomalee. It matters little where any necessary expense is incurred, but the same expense for establishment cannot be requisite at Trincomalee and at Hong Kong also: at one place or the other therefore reduction should take place. To myself it is indifferent where the reduction does take effect, as I can have no possible object in view but the good of the public service; and having so recently entered the service of the Crown, I am of necessity free from all professional jealousies, as also from all prejudices in favour of one branch of the service over the other. Enclosure No. 3. page 12. 15. With reference to the military department, I beg to annex a letter page 11. which I addressed to Major-General Staveley, as well as his reply thereto, inclosing Enclosure No. 4, a report from the respective officers of ordnance, with several documents which Enclosure No. 5, will be noticed below, and amongst these a return of troops serving in the page 13. China command. Enclosure No. 6, page 15. 16. Enclosure No. 7, will explain the extent and nature of the Ordnance page 14. stores, and that it far exceeds the wants of the force in China is obvious. It Ordnance Depart- is impossible for me to specify each article of which there is a superfluity; closure No. 7. but I will remark on a few that appear amongst the most prominent. By reference to the returns it will be seen that we have no less than 163 pieces of ordnance, of which 54 are 32-pounders, and 20 are 18-pounders; and that there are about 41,000 pounds of powder, and not less than 1,831,529 balled musket cartridges, and 62,000 blank musket cartridges; 35,873 fuzees, 28,400 loose round shot, besides strapped and fixed, ready for service. 17. Enclosure No. 8, will show that during the past year only 206,283 ball Enclosure No. 8, and blank cartridges, and 23,159 pounds of gunpowder have been issued, which page 35. is a tolerable proof that of this article we have quite enough already; and yet within these past few days 523 additional quarter barrels containing 261,500 Enclosure No. 9, musket ball cartridges have arrived by the "Palmyra.' I propose therefore page 35. that the question should be submitted to the proper authorities, and no further ordnance stores than what are required for a force, say of 2000 men, which would include the demands of the navy, should be retained; and that the remainder of what what might be good and useful should be sent to Ceylon, or to England, where they may be of use to the service, instead of, as must be the case, becoming unserviceable and useless here; and what might prove in the latter state should be disposed of by auction on the spot or destroyed. 18. By thus relieving the ordnance storekeeper of the charge of a quantity of unnecessary and useless stores, he would, in my judgment have sufficient time to take on him some part of the duties at present performed by the naval store- keeper, leaving the supplying of provisions, &c., to the army commissariat department. 19. From the statement of Mr. St. Hill, the Ordnance Storekeeper, an Enclosure No. 10, officer of long standing and great respectability, it certainly does appear that he page 36. is called on to perform duties of no ordinary description, and which must prove very harassing. This however arises from the system in force, and in my judg ment is very considerably increased by the presence of what is called "The Board of Respective Officers." What the precise duties of these officers are, cannot clearly understand; but it appears to me that one of their principal avocations is to recommend what to them may seem fit and necessary for the public service. The Board consists of— A Lieutenant-Colonel of Engineers. A Lieutenant-Colonel of Artillery. The Ordnance Storekeeper. The Acting Deputy Storekeeper. 20. In my despatch of 25th January, No. 10, I have suggested that in a mili- tary point of view I cannot conceive it possible that the presence of the two first officers is requisite with a force composed of 1,200 men; and if this opinion be in conformity with that entertained by those more competent to offer one, and there be no other objections, of which I am unaware, I would urgently recom- mend the abolition of this Board altogether. In all boards the responsibility is so much divided, that suggestions involving expense are much more likely to be made by them than by an individual; and there seems no cause why such occasional alterations and additions as may be required, cannot, on their necessity, being brought to the notice of the General or other officer commanding, be sanctioned by him without the intervention of this Board, which cannot, if Mr. St. Hill's statement be correct, and of which there can be no doubt, but materially add to the labour not only of his own but of that of other departments, as far as I am able to judge, without any commensurate advantage being derived. 21. But should the proper authorities not see fit to place this power in the hands of the commanding officer, it might be ordered that no military expenses should be incurred or recommended beyond 100l. without being also approved of by the Governor of the colony. 22. The Ordnance Storekeeper's Establishment is as follows, and amounts annually to £4,165 6s. 7d. 1 Storekeeper. (first class) 1 Deputy Storekeeper 1 First Clerk 1 Second Clerk I Assistant Firemaster months, the commissariat department has indeed in this branch of its duty, but little to do, as the Ceylon Rifles do not draw any rations from the department. 25. Mr. Smith appears to make some difficulty in undertaking the duty of provisioning the navy, and if, as he states, that Hong Kong was the head quarters of the Indian station, and that a large force was always stationed here, his objection might be entitled to consideration; but instead of a line of battle ship, a frigate, three steamers, and five sloops, being ordinarily stationed here, the force intended for Hong Kong as agreed upon between Viscount Palmerston and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty is fixed at one frigate, and a steamer, a force about equivalent to that which Mr. Smith states in the Australian colonies is supplied by the army commissariat under the commissariat regulations; and with this precedent before me, I certainly cannot see why a similar plan may not be adopted in this colony. 26. It appears also evident that the building used for a commissariat store, is at present unnecessarily large; and so far as I can judge, would hold the extra supplies required for the navy. Should it be found insufficient there would be no difficulty in hiring good and dry warehouses elsewhere. 27. With respect to Mr. Smith's animadversions on the civil department, I have nothing to say, except that he is clearly writing on subjects with which he is not familiar, and with the particulars of which he has not the means of being very intimately acquainted. In his remarks I see he says, that on negotiating bills during the past year, a profit of 2,9491. has been realized. This is no doubt very satisfactory, but whether the rate of exchange is favourable or otherwise, does not depend on him, but on circumstances over which he can possibly have no control. So long as money can be procured for bills under 4s. 2d. per dollar, a saving will accrue to Government. When the exchange is higher than this rate the Government will sustain a loss. 28. The Barrack Department stands as follows:- 1 Barrack Master I Clerk @ 50 per mensem 1 Superior Barrack Sergeant 2 Barrack Sergeants Barrack Depart- £ 3. d. 689 15 0 Commissariat De- page 41. 3 Temporary Clerks @ 1 Temporary Clerk @ 70 per month each 1 Foreman of Storehousemen @ 5s. 6d. per day 1 Foreman of Magazine 1 Cooper 2 Storehousemen @ 5s. per day 2 Storehousemen @ 4s. 2d. per day dit to ditto 1 Painter at 13. 3d. per day Royal Artillery employed in Magazine Chinese, as Artificers, Watchmen, Porters, Coolies, &c. £4,165 6 7 23 The expenses of this department amount annually to 1,7851. to which partment. however must be added 5001. per annum for offices and stores; and on the Enclosure No. 11, whole I do not consider it susceptible of any material reduction; but from Mr. Assistant-Commissary-General Smith's own showing, I think it is capable of undertaking a very considerable addition to its duties. At present the depart- ment has in its charge provisions to the value of 2,4241. 19s 4d., and the actual Enclosure No. 12, value of the supplies issued during the past year, 1848, amounted only to 7,3351. 4s. 8d. and this includes, as will be seen on reference to Enclosure No. 12, every article of consumption ordered by the commissariat, embracing all hospital comforts. The fresh beef and bread provided by Chinese contractors, as also the fire-wood, form a sum of 3,8781. which would leave the actual distribution by the commissariat, of only 3,4571. per annum. page 44. 24. In explanation of this small expenditure of provisions, it is right, I should again observe, that the European troops amounting to only 600 are supplied with bread and fresh meat by contract, so that with the exception of one day in each week, when salt meat is supplied to them during the six winter 91 1 0 109 2 0 £1,014 18 0 29. The duties this officer has to perform are stated in a memorandum Enclosure No. 13, furnished by the officer at present in charge of the department. I certainly page 47. cannot see why the duties should not be transferred to the engineer department or to an old subaltern officer of the force serving on the island on an allowance of 1001. per annum. 30. The Royal Engineer Department stands as follows:- ROYAL ENGINEERS. 1. Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding 1 Captain or Brevet Major 1 First Lieutenant 1 First Lieutenant attached to Royal Sappers and Miners ROYAL ENGINEERS CIVIL DEPARTMENT. 2 Clerks of Works, fourth class I Foreman of Works, second class 1 Clerk, fourth class ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. 2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 2 Second Corporals, and 39 Privates 1 Office Keeper 1 Office Coolie 2 Watchmen CHINESE. 1,322 10 10 789 10 10 378 13 4 885 17 1 £4,846 15 5 Royal Engineer Department. 31. From the enclosed statement will be seen the duties which the Enclosure No. 14, individuals connected with this department are called on to perform. In my page 48. despatch, No. 10, of 25th January, I recommended that certain reductions should be made in this department, from which further experience and observation afford Enclosures Nos. 15 and 16, pages 51 me no reason to dissent, for although it might have been required in the earlier of the colony to entertain this staff, certainly now that there can be but few more buildings necessary for the public service, the same expense on this account must be uncalled for. 32. Being desirous of ascertaining if any further works were in contemplation in the military department, I requested the Major General commanding to cause me to be supplied with a return showing what I required; and Enclosures Nos. 15 and 16 will show the nature and description of works that have been suggested as requisite to be completed during the year ending March, 1850, The first, the ordnance estimate, amounts to 12,1021. Os. 8d. which has been reduced to 4051. 9s. 11d.! The second, the barrack estimate, amounts to 40,4647. 9s. 5d. but has been subsequently reduced by the department on the spot, by instructions as I understand from the Master-General of the Ordnance, to 2,1951. 98 4d. This reduced estimate has not however been sanctioned, and will I presume be curtailed in the same manner that the ordnance estimate has been : and if so, affords an additional proof of the present strength of the engineer department being altogether unnecessary. 33. It may probably appear somewhat beyond my province to make any remarks on these estimates, but as it strengthens the position I have advanced as to the objectionable nature of the present system, I would draw your Lordship's atten- tion to items Nos. 3, 7, 8, and 9, in the ordnance estimate. These items are on account of a magazine that it had been proposed to erect at an expense of 8,4751. 6s. 7d. which is estimated to contain I understand 4,000 barrels of pow- der. During the past year the entire expenditure of powder on account of the army and navy amounted to 23,159 pounds, and of ball and blank ammunition 206,283 rounds. The amount of ball cartridge (for small arms) now in store is no less than 2,093,079 rounds, and considering that the expenditure of this one item last year was only 100,212, it is clear that of ball ammunition for small arms we have nearly twenty year's supply. It is therefore totally impossible that such a magazine can be required for a force of about 1200 men and a squadron, if it can be so called, of a frigate, two steamers, aud four brigs, all of which vessels arrive here fully equipped, and which if requisite can always receive There is also a storekeeper's house, estima- further supplies from Trincomalee ted to cost 3,156/, 6s. 4d. and a landing pier and crane to cost 3,7007. 15s. 1ld. neither of which do I conceive to be at all necessary, although the first no doubt would prove convenient to the storekeeper. 34. The abstract barrack estimate appears to have amounted in the first instance to 40,4641. 9s. 5d. for the year ending March, 1850; and 22,08ǝl. 15s. 11d. would have been further required to complete the buildings This expenditure on which it was intended to expend the first-mentioned sum. however has been reduced by orders from home to 21,9251. 9s. 4d. as has been already explained; but no part appears to have been sanctioned, although it was forwarded home in August last. I find however that it is proposed to build additional barracks for married soldiers, at an expense of 9,500l. and that 12,8091. 9s. 3d. be laid out on the Albany barracks, which buildings were trans- ferred to the military authorities by my predecessor, and cost only 4,2311! Again, I observe quarters for the royal engineer department, for the commanding royal engineer, the barrack master and the principal medical officer, estimated at 16,834/. 12s. 6d. of which 9,500l. were to be expended this year, and 7,3341. 12s. 6d. during the next. None of these buildings do I consider necessary, as the officers can, in the same way as do the civil officers of Government, hire houses in the town, as is the case at present, and for which I imagine due remuneration is made through the barrack department, although it does not appear in any of the documents furnished to me. 35. The repairs proposed for the barracks at Stanley are estimated to cost 5,070. There are at present stationed there three officers and sixty-six men, and no more can ever be required. It having come to my knowledge that an outlay was contemplated by the engineer department on these barracks, I Enclosure No. 17, addressed so far back as the 12th of March last, the annexed letter to the Major- General on the subject. page 53. 36. A sum of 68491. 5s. 4d. is also proposed to be expended on commis- sariat buildings in 1849-50, and a further sum during the ensuing year of 3,751. 3s 5d., aggregating 10,6001. 8s. 9d.; and yet the Assistant Commissary General has by his own letter, only stores to the value of 2,4241. 19s. 4d. this estimate 2,3981. 16s. 4d. are put down for a bakery. Ever since troops have been stationed here, they have been supplied with fresh bread, (as is the navy), by Chinese contractors. Why then a bakery should now be required is not to me evident. 37. It is unnecessary to make any further remarks on this part of the expendi- ture. I will therefore recapitulate the expenses as they at present stand for what may be termed the military staff of the colony. £ 8. d. 4,846 15 5 4,165 Engineer Department Ordnance Department Commissariat Department, including Offices and Stores Barrack Department To which I add the-- Naval Storekeeper's Department 2,285 1 3 1,014 18 £12,312 13 2,365 17 1 £14,677 18 41 38. In my despatch, No. 10, of the 25th January, I have recommended that the force of this colony be fixed at 1,200 men, and I am satisfied that a larger one can never be requisite, except in case of war with an European foe; when I take it for granted that the colony must depend on the navy for its protection, and this I find was the opinion of Sir Henry Pottinger, who also considered that a force of about 1000 men would be adequate to maintain the peace of the colony. See despatch No. 53, of 16th of October, 1842, to the Foreign Office. 39. The present barrack accommodation is estimated to contain a force of 1,333 men, and I strongly recommend therefore that instead of adding to this accommodation, should it be reported insufficient for the present force, that the force be so reduced as to render any further barrack accommodation unnecessary. 40. I inclose the last weekly statement furnished to me by the Major-General Enclosure No. 18, Commanding, by which it will be seen that the duties of the place are by no page 54. For the maintenance of internal tranquillity, I again repeat that means onerous. I consider 1,200 men ample; but should it be considered otherwise by those whose peculiar province it is to decide on the matter, and who must be more competent than myself to form a fair judgment, then I would recommend that either a fifty or a cut-down seventy-four gun ship with steam apparatus, armed similarly to the "Ajax," "Blenheim,” “ Edinburgh," and other steam-guard ships be stationed in this harbour. This arrangement would moreover render the services of the frigate ordinarily stationed here to be available elsewhere, and the colony would be perfectly secure against any piratical attack on the part of the Chinese, (of which I entertain no fear), and in case of war such vessel would I presume be equally efficient for its protection, with any batteries that could be constructed at a reasonable expense; and in fact render all further outlay on account of fortification entirely unnecessary. 41. While on this subject I would observe that a plan and estimate for a large battery proposed to be erected in the very centre of the town has been sub- mitted to the home authorities. By a letter from Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, No. 3, dated 2nd of January, 1847, to the address I believe, of Major-General D'Aguilar, I see Her Majesty's Government have decided that its construction be postponed. This battery was to have been called the Central or Royal battery, and although it would have been no doubt very ornamental, I must say that I consider it would have been altogether useless, and I cannot therefore recommend that either it or any other fortifications be constructed. 42. In conclusion, my Lord, I would respectfully observe that I am well aware that my comparative ignorance of a subject embracing so many interests as that to which this despatch relates may have rendered my observations open to remark by those whose peculiar province it is to investigate and judge of such matters, and I will therefore only add that in framing this despatch I have been alone actuated by a desire to reduce the expenses of this Colony to as low an ebb as I consider they can be consistently with real efficiency. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Enclosure 1. Governor Bonham to Rear-Admiral Collier. Victoria, Hong Kong, April 5, 1849. I HAVE the honour to bring to the notice of your Excellency that in obedience to instructions from the Right Honourable the Earl Grey, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, it becomes my duty to institute a strict search into the expenditure of this colony, civil, naval, and military; and I hope for the cordial assistance of your Excellency in affording me information connected with the expenditure of the naval department here. In the first instance it is desirable that I should be furnished with an account of the total annual expenditure entailed upon the Government for the establishment of the naval victualler and storekeeper's department, the nature and value of the stores under his charge, together with the condition and outlay of the present naval stores, buildings, and a detail of any future expenditure which may be in contemplation, either for stores, or public works, or repairs. I should also feel obliged for any suggestions that your Excellency may be pleased to offer relative to the present site occupied by the naval store rooms, or of any other which to your Excellency may appear better suited for that purpose; and lastly, with a view to making every possible reduction compatible with the interests of the Crown and the objects for which the various depart- ments have been established, I would beg to be further favoured with your opinion upon the following points :- 1st. Does your Excellency consider that the "Minden" is equal to con- taining the variety of ship gear and dry stores likely to be required for repairing, refitting, and supplying the squadron ordinarily in these seas, without any buildings being wanted for similar stores on shore? 2ndly. Supposing that the naval victualling department at West Point was abolished, could its duties be transferred to the army commissariat on shore? 3rdly. If the department of naval storekeeper could also be dispensed with, and the ordnance storekeeper directed to furnish Her Majesty's ships with such stores and munitions of war as had been hitherto supplied by the naval store- keeper, would the wants of the navy be as efficiently supplied, and the service equally well conducted? In conclusion, I would beg to observe that it is of the utmost importance to enable me to report on this subject, that I should have the benefit and advantage of your Excellency's advice and opinion upon matters so purely naval. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Enclosure 2. Rear-Admiral Collier to Governor Bonham. "Hastings," at Hong Kong, April 9, 1849. I HAVE had the honour to receive your Excellency's letter of the 5th instant, communicating the instructions you have received from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, to institute a strict search into the expenditure of the colony of Hong-Kong, civil, naval, and military; and requesting my assistance therein, which I am happy to afford you, so far as my humble abilities will permit. I will reply to the questions of your Excellency in the order in which they have been put. I have called for a return of the total annual expense of the establishment of the naval storekeeper and agent victualler, which is herewith transmitted for your Excellency's information. I must however be permitted to remark that the expense of this establishment, which is already at as low an ebb as possible, refers not merely to the colony of Hong Kong, but is incurred for the general requirements of Her Majesty's ships and vessels employed on the East India and China station; and as so large a proportion of the squadron has of late been employed on the coast of China, your Excellency will readily understand that no reduction of the naval civil establishment here can be ventured upon with safety, while so many of Her Majesty's vessels are retained in these parts. Your Excellency can judge whether or not the presence of the squadron is required in China; but so long as it is stationed in these seas there must be adequate means for providing the ships with stores and provisions. With regard to the nature and value of the stores in charge of the naval storekeeper and agent victualler, I think the first point only need be stated. The stores are what are ordinarily understood by naval stores, and are too numerous to define. There should be every article necessary for the fitting, rigging, refitting, repairing, and victualling of the squadron. The value of these naval and victualling stores is undoubtedly large, but varies so much from day to day as the wants of the squadron may be supplied, and according to the quantities that are sent from England, that any calculation of their value would be giving useless trouble to estimate, and would only mislead your Excellency. I am not the first person to point out, nor is this the first occasion on which I have pointed out that the condition of the buildings at present designated the naval storehouses, is most dilapidated, and that they are altogether and evidently unfit for the purposes to which they have been applied. I have already declined to sanction any further outlay upon them, beyond what may be absolutely required to protect the stores and provisions from the weather; and the experi- ence which every day brings me only tends to strengthen the opinions I have previously expressed. I do not therefore contemplate any further expenditure for works or repairs upon the present naval storehouses. The site of the buildings at West Point is extremely inconvenient and objectionable, and I have recommended to the Admiralty a range of storehouses, now vacant, called the Albany Godowns, as being well adapted for naval purposes; but I will presently bring under the notice of your Excellency a pile of buildings which will be still more appropriate for the purpose. Your Excellency inquires whether I consider "that the Minden is cqual to containing the variety of ship gear and dry stores likely to be required for repairing, refitting, and supplying the squadron ordinarily in these seas, without any buildings being wanted for similar stores on shore." To which I answer that the Minden certainly is not equal to containing the whole of the naval stores likely to be required; there are some articles such as spars, anchors, chain cables, iron, coals, boats, &c., which from the want of space and other causes, can only be properly stowed and kept in order on shore; while it is absolutely necessary for the preservation in this country of many kinds of naval stores, that they should be kept afloat. The next question is, "supposing that the naval victualling department at West Point was abolished, could its duties be transferred to the army com- missariat on shore?" 1 think not. On the 6th instant, 2,150 men were victualled on board Her Majesty's ships in China; and if the present establishment of the commissariat be no more than sufficient to supply the wants of the army, it follows that the number of officers and men must be very much increased if the same branch of the service were also called upon to supply the navy; and in my opinion the increased expense would be better applied in maintaining, as heretofore, alto- gether a distinct victualling establishment for the navy,-the system of accounts, and the scale of victualling and general duties being so different. To the next question-" If the department of naval storekeeper could also be dispensed with, and the ordnance storekeeper directed to furnish Her Majesty's ships with such stores and munitions of war as had hitherto been supplied by the naval storekeeper, would the wants of the navy be as sufficiently supplied, and the service equally well conducted?" I must again answer no! but it is a question well worthy of consideration, whether an efficient naval storekceper would not be quite capable of supplying the wants of the ordnance. Certainly I think much more so than the ordnance storekeeper possibly could be of supplying the navy. I need only beg of your Excellency to compare the number of the ships of war with the number of artillery quartered at Hong Kong, which from the impossibility of fortifying the place, never can be a large garrison, This brings me to the subject of the splendid range of buildings which have been erected for ordnance storehouses, and which seem to me to be infinitely C more capacious than ever can be required for so small a garrison as is likely to be maintained at Hong Kong; while they would be in every respect suitable for the naval department; and the occupation of them for naval purposes would save a large expense which otherwise must be incurred very soon, as the present temporary sheds at West Point cannot be looked upon as likely to last for any length of time. The ordnance storehouses are spacious and well constructed; and, with the wharf, would afford ample accommodation for the stowage of all the naval stores and provisions which it may be necessary to keep on shore at Hong Kong. The ordnance wharf, with some slight improvement, would be well adapted to receive the cumbrous articles, such as coals, anchors, boats, &c. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having furnished me with a copy of Earl Grey's instructions to your Excellency, and your letter having also informed me that the investigation with which you have been intrusted extends to civil as well as naval and military matters, I am sure it must be a matter of sincere congratulation to your Excellency and the public, that the opportunity has been thus afforded you of pointing out to Her Majesty's Government the numerous civil situations held by various Government officers at Hong Kong, of which the salaries are very high; while on the other hand the duties are extremely light, and in some instances I should imagine nearly nominal. The long experi- ence your Excellency had in conducting for so many years the admirable system of Government pursued at Singapore, where an adequate establishment for a much larger settlement is maintained for at least one-sixth of the expense of this colony, well enable your Excellency to judge how many civil appointments there are existing here that can, and no doubt will, be dispensed with with great advantage to the public service, and at a vast saving of the public expenditure. I shall have the honour of transmitting a copy of this letter to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have, &c. (Signed) F. A. COLLIER, Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-chief. A STATEMENT of the Annual Expenditure of the Department as required by Rear-Admiral Sir F. A. Collier's letter, dated 6th April, 1849. Department of the Naval Storekeeper. Service for 1848. Annual Amount, Remarks. Department of the Agent Victualler. A STATEMENT of the Annual Expenditure of this Department, as required by Rear-Admiral Sir F. A. Collier's letter, dated 6th April, 1849. Service, 1848. SALARIED OFFICERS. Agent Victualler paid as Naval Storekeeper 2 Clerks 1 @ £200 1 @ £175 WAGES ESTABLISHMENT. 1 Storeman Victualling Money £ s. d. 66 13 4 1 Cooper Victualling Money 2 Coopers-- WAGES EXTra List. 1 @ 6d. per day, borne on "Min- den's" book as Cooper's crew Victualling Money 1 @ls. 9d. per day, as Cooper's Victualling Money 5 Victualling Labourers 474 additional extra Labourers Allowances, Stationery Police Force Remarks, Employed on emergency. SALARIED OFFICERS. Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler 1 at £250 2 Clerks 1 at £175 WAGES ESTABLISHMENT. 1 Storeman Victualling Money WAGES EXTRA LIST. + Boatmen 5 Labourers 884 Additional extra Labourers for service of establishment House-rent for Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler Stationery Master commanding store-ship "Minden," and as Queen's Harbour Master Hong Kong Yard, April 7, 1849. (Signed) 137 10 0 Boatmen employed also as labourers. Chinese labourers employed as requisite. 1,500 10 0 THOS. Mc KNIGHT, Naval Storekeeper. Hong Kong Yard, April 7, 1849. (Signed) THOS. Mc KNIGHT, Agent Victualler.. Enclosure 3. Governor Bonham to Major-General Staveley. Victoria, Hong Kong, April 3, 1849. IN consequence of a despatch from the Right Honourable the Earl Grey, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, calling upon me to institute a strict investigation into the expenditure of this colony, civil, naval, and military, I have the honour to inform you that, to effect the object of his Lordship, it will be necessary for me to be furnished— 1st. With a report from the Department of the Ordnance here, showing the total quantity and value of arms, ammunition, and stores generally, as also the amount already expended upon public buildings; what further outlay may be in contemplation, either for additional works, improvements, or repairs; as well as a schedule of the pay and allowances of all persons belonging to the Ordnance here, together with a table showing the duties which each individual is required to perform. Return of officers and men short of establishment. 2ndly. I should wish to have a report upon the commissariat department, detailing their duties, the pay and allowances of the establishment, and general cost annually to the Government. It will be also desirable that I should be made acquainted with the nature and value of the public stores in charge of the commissariat, together with a description of the buildings in their possession, pointing out the amount of stores they are calculated to contain, and exhibiting at the same time what portion of the store-rooms, if any, are vacant. 3rdly. You are aware of the contents of my despatch, No. 10, of 25th January last, relative to the strength of this garrison and its expenditure; and if you are able to afford me any further explanation upon this head, I shall be glad to profit by it. 4thly. It is of the utmost importance that every possible reduction should be made compatible with the objects for which the public departments have been established; and if therefore it appears to you that any two or more establishments can with benefit to the service admit of being amalgamated, or that you are of opinion any may be dispensed with, shall feel thankful for your views thereon, accompanied by such remarks as may appear necessary from the head of the department likely to be affected by a change in its numbers, expenditure, or otherwise. Lastly. Bearing in mind the very heavy expense incurred by the Crown in this colony in the departments generally, both civil, naval, and military, do you consider it feasible or advisable to abolish the establishment of the naval store- keeper by causing his duties to be shared by the commissariat and ordnance departments? Your known experience on these points must be productive of much advantage to the public service; and therefore I have been induced to request you to afford me the information so essential for carrying out the instructions of Earl Grey. I have, &c. (Signed) Enclosure 4. S. G. BONHAM, Governor. Major-General Staveley to Governor Bonham. Hong Kong, April 20, 1849. WITH reference to your Excellency's letter to me of the 3rd instant, and to the despatch of Earl Grey calling on you to institute a strict investigation into the expenditure of this colony, civil, naval, and military, I have the honour to transmit the enclosed reports from the respective officers of Ordnance, the Commanding Royal Engineer, the Ordnance Storekeeper, Barrack Department, and the Assistant-Commissary-General. The return of ordnance stores is not yet prepared in consequence of the death of one of the clerks and the illness of another, but will be sent as soon as possible. The value of ordnance stores can only be ascertained in England, as it varies according to the different contracts and other circumstances, which are not made known to the departments in the colonies. On the third part of your letter, relative to the strength and expenditure of this garrison, I know nothing to add to my Military Secretary's letter dated 28th December, 1848, and my memorandum dated 27th January, 1849, but I enclose a return showing the number of officers and men short of our establish- ment; and when the great length of time is considered which must elapse before vacancies can be filled up which are occasioned by death, sick leave, removal, or promotion to other corps, I am still more impressed.with the opinion that our small military establishment in this remote command can admit of no reduction. On the fourth point of your Excellency's inquiry, I am clearly of opinion that no two or more of the military establishments can be amalgamated more than they already are, nor any dispensed with; nor do I think it would be desirable to charge the commissariat or ordnance storekeepers' departments with the duties of naval storekeeper. The Ordnance storekeeper declares distinctly that he could not undertake any part of the naval storekeeper's duty; and considering the daily changes which take place in the naval force here, I conceive that a considerable addition would be required to the commissariat to enable it to perform the duties of the victualling branch of the naval storekeeper's department, besides other incon- veniences alluded to in the last paragraph of Assistant-Commissary-General Smith's report. I have, &c. (Signed) W. STAVELEY, Major-General Commanding the Troops. Enclosure 5. The Officers of Ordnance to the Major of Brigade. Office of Ordnance, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 20, 1849. WE have the honour to inclose herewith the information, &c., required in your letter to us of the 4th instant, so far as the royal engineer's department is concerned, viz. :- A report of the amount already expended upon the public buildings, &c., as well as a schedule of the pay and allowances of all persons belonging to the Royal engineer department, together with a table showing the duties which each individual is required to perform. Likewise a schedule of the pay and allowances of all persons in the ordnance storekeeper's and barrack departments; and a statement of the duties which the officers and clerks in the Ordnance storekeeper's office are required to perform, together with a letter from the Ordnance storekeeper on the subject, in which he states his inability to undertake any part of the duties of the naval storekeeper in addition to those which he has now to perform. We also enclose a table showing the duties which the barrack master and the different persons in his departiment are required to perform. We regret to state, with reference to our letter to you of the 17th instant, that the Ordnance storekeeper will be unable to complete the return of stores, &c., before next week. In transmitting these returns, &c, we beg leave to observe that in our opinion no reduction can be made in any branch of the Ordnance departments at this station without injury to the public service, taking into consideration the nature of the climate, and the important duties which each individual has to perform, We have, &c. (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Store Keeper. JOHN L. C. TETLEY, Actg. Dy. Store Keeper. GEORGE PHILLPOTTS, Lt.-Col. Comg. R. Eng. (Signed) J. EYRE, Lt. Col. Comg. R. Artillery. P. S.There is no alteration whatever in the schedule of duties, pay, allowances of the Royal Artillery sent in on the 8th January, 1849. (Signed) H. ST. H. J. L. C. T. (Signed) *superde "Basomo pred *serodro *Surfing *stəшmini Enclosure 6. RETURN of the Troops serving in the China command, showing the number required to complete the establishment of each Corps. 95TH REGIMENT. CEYLON RIFLES. ROYAL ARTILLERY. ROYAL SAPPERS. GUN LASCARS. *[riodon *Lraլեզո *spurodiag "Joseqng 9* 4 33 28 11 451 2 13 4 45 29 12 524 1 Effectives Victoria, Hong Kong, April 12, 1849. * One officer of each of these ranks serving on the staff, included in the above numbers. (Signed) RODNEY MYLIUS, Captain, Brigade-Major. Wanting to complete Supernumeraries Establishment 50 30 12 570 Enclosure 7. Office of Ordnance, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 27, 1849. A REPORT shewing the Quantity of Arms, Ammunition, and Stores generally in charge of the Ordnance Storekeeper at this Station, on the 2nd April, 1849. Description of Stores. Carpenters' Coopers' or wheelers' Copper or brass - Iron Different natures. Anticorrosion - Antimony Almirah for papers Anchors with stocks for boats Anvils, armourers' and smiths' Arm banda Carpenters or wheelers' (with thrifts without ditto Awning for gig Axletrees Wood Bails, iron, with ears Balance spring Ball drawers, ride, flint Balls Bamboos Barometers Unhelved Barrels → Powder - Common Copper Metal lined Bars, iron Basins, brass and metal Baskets Baths, cast iron, 5 x 6, 2 x 6, 2×3 Cast iron, with brass plugs and chains Tin Bayonets Fuzee, percussion Beams for scales, iron Carcase or staves setting Bearers - Shot grate Blankets Bolster, Indian Ditto, or pillow Bed or palliasses Coverlets Hospital-Sackings Palliasses Rugs Sheets Bottoms Heads - Bedsteads Iron Nuts and pins Hospital- Racks - Sides Description of Stores. For coins Carriage, Carronade Gun Howitzer, 24-pounder Mortar, 8 inch - N. P. 1st Carronado Carronade, 12-pounder For Mortar, 8 inch, iron Gun, 32-pounder Bellows - Bells and appurte- Brass levers Cranks, mortice Ditto, of sorts House, with spring carriage Pulls, brass Rings, pull, bell Spring check, large Unmounted Sword and waist Armourers' Carpenters' Angle, 1 inch Į Angle - Cast iron Socket, 2 inch Double, 2 inch, cast iron Carpenters of sorts Coopers' Countersunk Vent for guns Black lead Brad-awl, of sorts Blades, stone saw, with appurtenances Armourers' Dry Rubber Gin iron Limber, 6-pounder light Long-handled scrubbing-brush Wooden sheaves - Brass sheaves Blue Lights Boats and Wood, brass cogged With hooks and straps, 12 in. Inventory Side mess-room Table, with trestles fixed appurtenances - Bumpkins Gig, 24 feet Different natures. Boilers and appurtenances lbs. oz. 2 2 2 2 ∞o: Description of Stores. Different natures. Boats and appurtenances 25 gallons Pinnace, copper fastened Sails Cisterns Cocks Dampers Doors, soot - Flues Pipes, steam And nuts for pumps pipes, socket cast iron tank Barrel, musket Brass flush Iron, bright, round, straight Bright round complete kneed incomplete Eye Fighting Flat spring Iron wheelbarrows N. P. carriage carronade With pins Round, straight 7 ft. 1 in. long, round 5 ft. 1 in. long, Monkey-tailed Book, Record of Encroachments Borax Borers, bung, draw, and tap Boring tools - Bottles - Bits of sorts Cases containing tools for boring irons Monkey, wood Pipe, iron Rods, iron Triangle, wood Glass, of sizes Glass, of size Bottoms for shot, wood, howitzer, 24-pounder Wood, armourers' Ammunition Brass pistol Leather Cashi Coal, iron Drill, smiths' Fuze, tin Do. wood Horse-shoe Instruments, gunners' Match, quick Oak, for scales and weights WANN CONC 2222 20: BRAIN IN IN Packing, common Pit, saw Shot and sheel Description of Stores. Different natures. Description of Stores. Different natures, Brass, old Browning mixture Armourers' Camels' hair, swans' quill Gun, hard, 6-pounder" Harness water Brushes- Head, long Marking Sash tool Turk's head Whitewash Buckets - { Leather, fire Buffers, coopers' Buoys, life, and appurtenances Burners, tin Burnishers, armourers'- Bars, iron wheelbarrow Callipers Guag, shell Wood, sliding fandlesticks, flat iron Candles, sperm cwt. qrs. lbs. co 10 co co co w NNN Camp colours Cartridges Drum Fife, brass Portfire, tin Powder, metal lined Quadrant, wood Casks, of sorts Catgut Cement, Roman Fire-ship barrels - bushels Chains - Cannisters, tin Iron water Safety fuze Canteens, tin, wood Canvas, Europe Elevating screw Metal for fuzes Percussion Sponge canvas Ditto howitzer Ditto mortar Capstans, crab Cap squares Carcasses, tilled Cards, collarmakers' Carronade, sliding Drag, large Elevating 4,065,954 Chests - Chevaux-de-frieze Chisels. Cold smiths* Firmer Hand armourers' Shifting masons' Of sorts Chocks, wood - Clay, fire Clippers, portfire Iron 100 feet Loading, devil carriage Retreating gun Rigging for boat Small ft. With hook and drag ropes 3-eigth inch Chairs Chalk, white Charcoal Officers Clothing Laboratory stores Strong iron ft. run. Clock, bracket Carriages, N. P. Gun- Cartridges, flannel, empty Howitzer Carriages Howitzer Ship or garrison gun Travelling Gun garrison Carronade Bags to contain powder Burstors Carronade Boots, ankle Coatees Clothing, Royal Artillery Epaulettes Gold-lace boxes Great-coats Jackets, flannel Of sorts Bursters or bags Cartridges, flannel, filled Howitzer Cartridges, small arm 1,831,529 Trousers Trousers Trousers - Clothing, Ryl. Sap. & Miuers Boots, lace Box, tin, for lace Feathers Great-coats Clothing, Gun Lascars Cartouches Howitzer Description of Stores. Clothing, Mis- cellaneous - Banians Boots Caps Coats Jackets, straight Stockings, worsted Trousers Ungrek, as blue cloth lined with flannel Vests, h. p. Chevrons Color badges, serjeants" Clothing, Ceylon Rifles Jackets - Serjeants' 1 Privates" Straps, privates? Trowsers Serjeants' Privates' Ball, 1 in. stop Brass bib Ditto, stop Ditto ball, 1 in. stop Composition Tank, 1 inch Carronade Carriage, N. P. Gun Compasses Carpenters' Different natures. Description of Stores. Carpenters' of sorts Wood, shod with copper 1 10 20 00 20: Dubbing Duck, No. 2 Ears, iron, for pails Emery Engines, fire Engines, fire, appurtenances Embrazures, wood Caps, leather Drivers, screw-shifting Handles, wood, iron arms Hose lengths Noses, spreading Branch, with nose Suction lengths Strainers, copper Wrenches for hose Extinguishers, brass Eye-wipers, rifle Fan-light, cast iron Feeders, oil, tin Fenders, officers' and soldiers' Fids, splicing, 18 in. Figures, stamping Bastard - Knife, 5 in. OM Half-round Round Square, & in. 3 ditto Half-round Round Safe edge Square Rubber, rough Saw Bent, 4 in. Half-round Corks for shells Cotton-wool Cots, soldiers', common For locks, canvas leather Lead, of sorts Crocks, filtering Cramps, for locks, spring main Cranes - { Crab, or crab-purchase Portable Crates, pecking Crocks, filtering Carpenters, hand Of sorts Crucibles, black lead Cups, copper, composition Cupboard, officers mictal - Cutters, portfire Dainmer, or rosin Desks, small Diamonds, glaziers' Dishes, meat, tin Dividers, spring {Folding Drifts, fuze lbs. oz. Different natures. e ཤྩ c g t༞ ༼ ཨྠ ༩ སྐྱུ ནྡྲ ⪜ æ : མ༠༠གསམསཙ Round, 7 inches Safe-edge Stock-barrel Of Sorts Fitters, with brass cocks Fire, slices Covers, canvas for leaders Gimblets C3 C3 A 15 05 br br br Knives, laboratory Fire-ship stores Quick match For portfire sockets Long, with sockets Nails, iron clasp, No. 19 Scissors, laboratory Forelock-keys Forms, N.P. Braces Bolts Legs Top iron-bound O. P. Cartridge Wads Fire-ship stores Description of Stores. Sticks, portfire Thread, Dutch Vices, hand- Fore-end of musket, fitted with bayonet and spring Back, with boss and fire-irons complete Pack-saddle Portable Different natures. Description of Stores. Different natures. Bench Chucklers Claw Forge, 248. Gun, Dundas percussion Knapping Hammers - Levelling Masons', pick-point Rivetting Stamping BO Uphand, smiths' Of sorts Frames Flax Tin, oil Wood water-cart Of sorts Metal Dry-soil Hand-crowlevers Adze, coopers' copper Brad-awl Iron for boxes Knives, laboratory Loaded, dry rubber Long-lights Mop or broom Madras - Rammers, wooden spare English- Sphl, caso - Of sorts Sphl. gun, 9-pounder Double, 3 feet Common, 4 in. Glass, window ft. supl. Scribing Of sorts Graduators, fuze-iron For heating shot With elliptical bars {Officers' Soldiers' Register Grapnels Grating- Iron Handscrews Single Handspikes R. H. A. Common Gun, 6-pounder Gyn Howitzer Mortar Sling cart Traversing With rollers Of sorts Harness, men's rope, 12 to a set Hasps, iron, with screws and staples Hatches, helved and unhelved Haversacks Gun, heavy field Cast-iron circular pumps Dry rubber Gun Howitzer Metal, 24 in. sqr. Carronade Gun Howitzer Grinders Grindstones, with appurtenances Grummets, iron Carronade Fuze, brass Howitzer Mortar Carpenters' Shell, H. and L. Wad, wood, of sorts Wire, iron Gudgeons, iron, for wheelbarrows Gum-Arabic Hair, plasterers' Hearths, marble Of sorts Bellows Brown Country-tanned Adze, carpenters Axes Mamootil Shovels Spades Europe - {Buffalo ewt. qrs. lbs. Description of Stores. Different natures. Gate, 4' 8" complete Iron-cast butt Cross garnett Jacks, lifting Jackets Jags, brass Jambs, marble Jiggers, coopers' Description of Stores. Different natures. Hooks and Eyes With bolts and nuts, for guard beds Key of sorts Projecting 5 in. Hinges - Cross garnett Jumpers, miners* Jacks, roasting, with appurtenances Kettles - Hook and eye, 26 in. Bolts, fighting Joint bolts HL 10 in. Rise, joint Wrought, for sd. beds Hoes, garden Bill, with handles Can, copper Composition, 18" x 11" Iron, stone-saw Pot, iron and thimble iron Tackle, iron, with thimble With thimble for slings, iron Ash, straight, qr. barrels Horns, powder Hose, powder Hosiery, fleecy Husks, paddy (Magazine Wooden, strong With staves - Metal, for opening powder barrels Knapsacks, complete R. A. Knives - Chucklers' Collarmakers' hand Drawing, carpenters' Jigger and draw Gabion Hollowing- Laboratory Pallet Painters' stone Putty Scraping, gun of sorts Lables, brass, for keys Lacquer Ladders Ladles - Scaling, 8 length Steps Composition, copper Iron melting Mess, iron Shot grate Carronade Gur With staves Boxes, tin, grease Carronade, 18-pounder Gun and wadhooks Implements, Funnels, tin Howitzer, 12-pounder Instructions, copies of Without stave gun Scale, brass, graduated Lanterns Stocks for bits Mathematical Lashing, bamboo Instruments - For loading 8 in. howitzer Ivory, brass, ebony, spring knobs B. O. without handles Bar, for braces Latches - Norfolk, large Sash, mortice, crank, furnl. compt. cwt. qre. lbs. For gun carriages For stop cocks - - bundles Branding Collarmakers' Creasing Flagging (Officers' Soldiers' Dog, officers* Seam, turning Shoulder Soldering, tinman's Leather - For sole pieces Letters, stamping Levels, field Levels, spirit Rifle, flint tons cwt. qrs. Ms. 11.2.2.16 Bell brass Limo squeezers Limbers with With trucks, 9 feet Kettles, camp, copper Ammunition carriago Carriage, gun, traversing 6-pounder Howitzer Linstocks, with cocks Litharge Description of Stores. Back spring, cupboard japanned, 4 inch Cupboard Long lights Gun and brass flint Ditto and carronado per Iron rim and brass knob, 3 bolts Ditto, dead Musket flint Pad, iron Loops for uprights, iron For firing signal rockets Machines Filling small arm cartridges Sweeping chimneys Magazines Tin for cups Portable, with poles Carpenters' wood Masons' - Tampions Marline, white Maps and Views of Hong Kong Masks, wire Monkey for pile driving. (See Boring tools.) Brass liquid of sorts Cartridge Measurca Pewter - 2 quarts Gill and half gill Tin, oil Wood, dry measure Medical store case Metal pivots and gudgeons, 18", with bolts and nuts For stone work 6 panel doors Mirrors in brass cases Momatres, or broad hoes Mops, heads, and nails Moulds, bullet Rifle, percussion Moulding, iron, for Ionic capital Mullers' paint Different natures. 03 as a NN Description of Stores. Boat 14-inch Fine 2 inch Different natures. lbs. oz. 1.102. 5.4 Spike 5 inch Strong rose Fine clout Nails, Ibs.oz. Jacks 1inch Spike Rose Fine clasp Strong ditto Strong ditto lbs. oz. 9 295 32.12 Scupper or bellows, No. 66 Sacks, black Flemish Iron, Dbs. oz. Brads and sprigs, wrought Flooring brads Cut brads Mop, 136 32-pounder 24-pounder Ordnance 18-pounder 12-pounder 6-pounder Howitzer, 8 inch Mortar, 8 inch L. S. Cart tier, 189 Bellows cwt. qrs. Ibs. Spike of sorts Nippers, carpenters', common Nipples, musket, spare Gun, 9 and 6-pounders Howitzer, 24 and 12-pounders Mortar, 4 inch - Carronade, 32, 24, 18, and 12-pounders Ibs. oz. 10 10 000 14000 2 Brass captured at Borneo and deposited by Sir. T. Cochrane Ovens, iron, complete Pails, water Palls, sling cart Palms, sailmakers' Bed pewter Close stool Frying cwt. qrs. Ibs. 180.3.22 Blue or purple Cartridge Portfire White, fine, and brown Wrapping Pincers - Pegs, iron, for clothes Pencils, black-lead Pendulums, with boards Perambulators Pickers, grass, unhelved Carpenters, common Farriers' Complete with rammer, steel Percussion L. S. & S. S. Incomplete Muzzle stoppers Description of Stores. Cloak brass, Gun-locks, with flies Iron axletree, transporting N. P. Linch, iron axletree Platform, wood Branch (cast iron) Cast-iron socket Different natures. Description of Stores. Different natures. Copper, 2 inch Connecting, 5 inch Iron, perforated, 1 in. ps. ft. run. Ranges, kitchen Bastard, cut, 8 inch Common, of sorts Half-round Fine 6-inch Three-square Reels, for chalk-lincs Of sorts Regulations, Ordnance Med. Relievers, for spring spikes Rifles, complete with ranmers, sword bayonets Pump, engine Rings, brass, for cap-pouches Copper, for barrels Rain-water Appurtenances {for barrows Cast-iron, 4 inch Carcase, 24-pounder Stove iron With flanges, outlet, 4 inch Rockets Congreve [ Shell Shot Percussion S. S. flint, black long Measuring Rooves, copper, No. 180 Rollers, wood - For Tackle, 2 in. Jute, Bengal Platforms- Plummets, lead Portfires, of sorts Iron, dwarf, with gear complete Traversing wood, in parts Col. Alderson's Col. Pasley's Sal-Ammoniac Saucepans, tin Scabbards, bayonet Scabbards, sword Brass, beams Cast-iron, with bails Cooking, or boilers Drinking, tin Marking Pewter Spitting, tin Tin, grease Watering Black, infantry, L. S. Copper and weights Ditto with iron beams, country pair Diagonal, brass Gunter's Copper, large Buff leather Fuze, 3 in a set Pouches- Percussion caps Presses, office Scissors Tin, hand Wood, 120lbs. Scoops, copper, composition Scrapers Scratch, card Bench, carpenters' Brass flathead, 1 inch Cork for shells Compressing 32-pounder Dundas bammers Jamming, spare, with plugs { Carronade Prolongs Carronade Screws - Pullies, brass, 2 inch, for shower-baths Elevating - Quadrants, brass Racks, arm Railing, cast-iron Musket, spare Carronade With staves Howitzer, 12-pounder Ramheads, with thimbles Howitzer Mortar, 8 inch For sights, Millar's gun and carronade Gun luck - Flat head, Round-head gross Scuttles, coal, copper Seats, hospital, with backs Searchera, gun spring Seeds, grass, perennial rye Serge Sets for sawS No. gross Middling Strong Description of Stores. Different natures. Description of Stores. Different natures. Setters - For fuzes, wood Sextant, brass Shackles Coopers' Carpenters' Outside Sockets - Slips, marble Slings - Sleepers Slopes, office Leather- Rope for carts Suapcaps Snip, tinman's Sauffers Soap Deck, metal Iron Pipe Black rifle With tin collars, filled with ball, 8 inches - Of sorts Fixed to wood bottoms and fitted with metal fuzes 32-pounder With wood bottoms 24-pounder Shells - Without wood bottoms, 32-pounder Spindles, brass valves Common, empty Spits, with wheels With grummets and leather straps, filled, 12-pounder Hand filled and fixed [Bayonet Empty strapped howitzer Springs - Shelves, cast iron- Cantilerers For holding knives Rails Pins Cast iron, bases Collars or sockets Shelves - Partitions Wrought iron Standards Ditto in tin case, gun and carronade Hollow plug, 10 inch Tin case Howitzer Carronade with iron ends Spherical case Gun, 9-pounder Strapped to Empty 68-pounder wood bottoms Filled Without wood bottoms, empty Common, strapped to wood bottoms Wood, carpenters" [Iron, B↑O. Wood BO. Spun yarn Without ram- mer-heads [Iron, figured, &c. Steel blades Mortar Gun Mortar Howitzer And rammer- Carronade Gun . Howitzer Sponges, with staves lbs. oz. Ibs. oz. Ibs. oz. Round loose Belted rifle - Lead ball In bags as charges tons. cwt. qrs. lbs. Stationery 1. 12. 3. 16 Shovels - Sieves, powder Iron wire, 5 mesh 32-pounder Millar's Copper, gunners' common 32-pounder Brass hair Copper, dry measure Paper, ledger Annual Army List Expense Journal, contractors' Ledger, store List and check, 3 quires Proportion Store return H Lovell's Suggestions Pattern of Nails Soldiers' Account Covers, marble Forms, printed Staves, sponge, of sorts Steel - Steelyards 22:42 10 year's supply Ash Portfire Skirting, cast iron Skedding Iron Skins, sheep or bazil Slab, for grinding paint Slates, in wood frames Carcase Shell Shot Signal Stocks, for bits, drill 12 ft, and 20 ft. Stomach-warmer, tin ft. run. Stoppers, trap, earthenware Carronade, Hardy's 32-pounder Travelling, boat-gun Not fitted with rear chocks Stretchers, canvass Strings, drill, catgut Description of Stores. Different natures. Description of Stores. Different natures. Sweeps, for 32 pounder-carriage Swivels, yoke - Swords, brass guards Serjeants Sea-practice Practice-scimitar Sword-knots Tackles - With rope Complete, with one double and one single block Carronade and gun Tampions Gun and howitzer Mortar ditto Tanks, cast-iron Tanks, with ap- Bolts and nuts Taper piece, with outlet purtenances Taper ends for branch pipe Taper wax Cocks, brass Plates, square Taper, Chinese NO CONO NO: Tarpaulins Telescopes Templets Camp colors Circular, complete, one-poled Cord, cotton ཧྥེ ཤྩ མཉྫུ སུ རྞ སྐྱུ ཧྨ ཀྵི ཀ ཀ ཀྑུ ཏུ ཙྪི ཋབྷཱུས༤ Tools, miners - Tools, boasting Tow - Towels Traps, vermin Trays, powder Iron Trestles - Bellows Triangles for scales Trivets for pots Axes, grubbing Bolts, eye Chests, tool Chisels, of sorts Crow-bars - Fascine chokers Hammers Jumpers Mallets, wood Picks Rods, with connecting screws Scoops, iron Scrapers, ditto Shovels, ditto Sockets, candle Wedges Wrenches Filling powder Iron forge Rocket with stand Or hand travelling limber howitzer, 12-pounder Elevating 12-pounder carronado Doorooty Bags, gunny, of sorts Gunny puttahs Laboratory Platform, dwarf Marquees, HP Trucks - 32-pounder Mewar cotton 3-pounder trail Tents, and ap- Mallets, wood Flag-staff purtenances Observatory Officers', large Of sorts, complete, two-poled Rope-cotton Transporting, N. P. Transporting Lever ditto Gun Carronade Salletah Serving-lines Thread-cotton Valizes Walls, of sorts Standing wood Thermometers Japanned - Kettles, copper Plain wood Plain wood Silvered Trumpets, speaking Common quill Detonating rectangular Fynmore quill Detonating quill Rocket Quill Rocket, with stands, L. S. Tumblers, musket Planks { Thimbles Thumbstalls Thrifts, auger, spare Tillers, for pit-saw Feather-edge, broad Manila Quartering Teak Turnbuckles Turnscrews Turpentine, spirits of Twitches Urinals, pewter ft. run. - ft. cube galls. qts. pts. ft, run. Cast-iron ft. cube Ventilators Tin, sheets of Cannon-locks Percussion ditto Description of Stores. Armourers' Coopers' Fuze-blocks Haud 100 lbs. Bright 48 Standing Without resta Of sorts Voltaic battery, and appurtenances for submarine explosions Carronadc Wadhooks Howitzer Of sorts Wadmiltilts Compressed Grummets Washiers Water-closets, with appurtenances Wax, bees' Barracks Different natures, oo ou co Ibs. oz. 25: 5 NA Iron Barrow Bell-shaped, flat Troy, set of 23 weights, 128 oz. to å gr. Metal, 3 inches, with spare plates and screws With x plates Wheels - Howitzer Wick, cotton Enclosure 8. RETURN of Small-Arm Ammunition and Powder issued to Her Majesty's Troops and Her Majesty's Ships at this Station, between January 1 and December 31, 1848. To Her Majesty's Troops [Carbine Cartridges Ball Small Arm Powder, lbs. Blank Musket and Rifle f Fine Grain Large Grain To Her Majesty's Ships :- Cartridges Small Arm, Ball' Pistol Rifle Powder, lbs. Fine Grain Large Ditto 4,340 20,010 50 72,334 86,952 There is no loose powder in barrels, it is kept in flannel bags of various sizes, and in metal-lined cases, containing about 120lbs. The musket cartridges are kept in metal-lined barrels, containing 2,500 and 2,000 each. The rifle, in the same description of barrels, containing, 3,000, 1,500, or 750 each. (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Ordnance Storekeeper. Office of Ordnance, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 7, 1849. Enclosure 9. Copper Hard Soft Hard LIST of Ammunition and Stores arrived per ship "Palmyra," and consigned to the Ordnance Storekeeper. Wood, cord, old - ft. cube Wornis - Wadhooks Worsted, sewing Wrenches Yokes, N. P. for bullocks Cartridges, Percussion, Musket, Ball.. 261,500 Palisades, Cast Iron.. Caps, Copper, Percussion Locks, Pad Cylinders, Zinc Sockets and Hangers Barrels, Cartridge, Quarter Heads, Pike Hides, Tanned Iron Work, for Barrows, Sets.. Gates, Wrought Iron.. Wrenches.. Bars, Sliding Wheels, Barrow Railings, Wrought Iron Cases, Packing (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Ordnance Storekeeper. (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Ordnance Storekeeper. Office of Ordnance, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 7, 1849. Enclosure 10. Gentlemen, Mr. St. Hill to the Ordnance Officers. Office of Ordnance, Hong Kong, April 19, 1849. AVAILING myself of the desire conveyed in the latter part of the four and the last extracts in the Brigade Major's letter of the 4th instant, that I should offer such remarks as may appear necessary on the proposed change in this department, by sharing a portion of the duties of the Naval Storekeeper, I feel it incumbent on me respectfully to submit the following objections, trusting the Honorable the Major-General will be pleased to give them due consideration, when framing his report on the subject. The most cursory glance at the details of the duties now forwarded, I feel assured is sufficient to show the extreme difficulty, if not impossibility, of the object in contemplation, (as far as this department is concerned,) and this will render further remark from me superfluous, but I deem it my duty to point out the very onerous responsibility under which I am now placed, by the immense quantity of valuable stores, &c., under my charge, and for which I am account- able to the authorities at home, myself and friends being under heavy security bonds. This is much increased by my having many inexperienced persons in my office, where it requires a service of several years to arrive at anything like a knowledge of the various natures of the stores, orders, and regulations for conducting so many different duties, the destructive nature of the climate, and the pilfering habits of the Chinese by whom I am surrounded. Feeling, therefore, as I do, from the reasons stated, the impossibility of my undertaking any, even a small portion of the duties of the Naval Store- keeper," with benefit to the service," I beg you will be pleased to submit the same respectfully and earnestly for the serious consideration of the Honorable the Major-General Commanding. I have, &c, (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Ordnance Storekeeper. SCHEDULE of the Pay and Allowances of all Persons employed in the Civil Branch of the Ordnance and Barrack Departments at Hong Kong. ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT. 1 Storekeeper (first class) 1 Deputy ditto 1 First clerk 1 Second ditto. 1 Assistant fire-master. Establishment 8 Temporary clerks, @ $70 per month each ditto, @ $60 Deduction Annual Gross Pay, &c. on account of Income Tax, &c. Net Pay per annum. 3. d. £ s. 540 0 0 43 4 0 362 0 0 29 0 0 322 0 0 25 16 0 45 12 6 1 6 7 £ 3. d. 902 10 0 Absent on leave in England. 2072 15 11 One of these to be dispensed with on the return of de puty store. 1 Foreman of storehousemen, @ 5s. 6d. per day 1 Ditto of magazine. 1 Cooper 156 10 0 153 17 10 @ 4s. 2d. 127 16 2 1 Painter @ls. 3d. 19 11 3 0 0 0 Royal Artillery employed in magazine Chinese as artificers, watchmen, porters, coolies, Average per 100 0 0 annum. 620 0 0 Ditto. £4001 14 8 2 Storehousemen, @ 5s. Od. per day Total Ordnance Department. to to ∞o →→→ BARRACK DEpartment. 1 Barrack-master 689 15 0 1 Temporary clerk, at $50 per month 1 Superior barrack-sergeant To be discharged on arrival of superior bar- Tack-sergeant. 2 Barrack-sergeants, at 3s. per day 0 109 2 0 £1014 18 0 Ordnance Total Office of Ordnance, Hong Kong, April 19, 1849. (Signed) £4960 13 8 HENRY ST. HILL, Ordnance Storekeeper. Statement showing the Duties which the Officers and Clerks in the Ordnance Storekeeper's Office ordinarily perform. CASH DEPARTMENT. THE duties of this office, in which distinct accounts current are prepared in duplicate, and rendered quarterly for Ordnance and Barrack Services, also for the Corps of Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and Royal Sappers and Miners, in triplicate, (an account being likewise kept by the Commissariat,) may in some measure be deduced from the following detail, which, however long, must necessarily omit many occurrences and labours. 1st. The Ordnance account, which, for the quarter ending 31st of March last, is composed of 125 vouchers in duplicate, each being, in many cases, accom- panied by copies of voluminous correspondence, orders, &c., required to support and explain the nature of the charges, and to afford other information relating thereto, (called for by the Honorable the Surveyor-General and the Honorable the Clerk of the Ordnance, in whose offices the accounts are audited,) com- prises the payment of all the salaries and allowances to the civil officers of the Ordnance and Royal Engineer Departments, wages to foremen, artificers, mili- tary (artillery,) working parties, coolies, labourers, watchmen, &c. &c., of the Storekeeper's, Engineer's, Artillery, and Firemaster's Departments; also the arrangements by advertisement, calculations, copying and preparing schedules of tenders, making agreements for the purchase of stores and execution of Ordnance services, as well as for the sale of stores, &c., to the troops and departments, and to the public by competition or otherwise; the examination and payment of all the contractors' bills, pay lists, and other vouchers of the Royal Engineer Department, for purchases of stores required for all Ordnance services; also, the weekly payment of Royal Sappers and Miners employed in the super- intendence of works, &c., and the miscellaneous disbursements of these depart- ments, which are each reported for the Master-General and Board's information, being accompanied by the correspondence before mentioned. Separate returns also are connected with this account, under the heads of Income Tax, Super- annuation Fund, Medical Stoppages, Messing, &c., all of which are made out in this office and rendered quarterly, after they have been duly registered in the office. To this detail must be added the correspondence, local and departmental, consequent upon the performance of these services, which, being for the most part explanatory, is of great length, and requires much time in its execution. 2nd. The Barrack account for the same period, consisting of 108 vouchers, includes all payments on account of purchase and repair of the furniture and fixtures of the several barracks, officers' quarters, hired buildings, &c., washing and repairing the bedding of the troops and hospitals, hire of buildings, lighting lamps, sweeping chimneys, and other miscellaneous and contingent expenses of that department, monthly stoppages for quarters, &c., all of which require sepa- rate vouchers, certificates. &c.; also the payment of the Barrack-Master, Barrack Sergeants, and others employed under his direction, together with the expenses of the Royal Engineer Department connected with this branch of the service, viz. purchase of stores for the construction of barracks, works, and buildings at Victoria, Stanley, and Saiwan, as well as for their repair; these latter being made up of a large number of small accounts, (one bill now in hand con- sisting of ten closely written sheets of foolscap,) occupy much time in their examination. Also must be appended the correspondence, reports, &c., arising out of these duties, with returns of different services rendered in addition to those forming part of this account and before enumerated. 3rd. The Royal Artillery account current:-In this account will be found the pay and allowances of the officers, the pay and subsistance of the men, together with the minute and multifarious affairs of soldiers, such as remittances, forfeitures, &c., occupying much time, and involving particular attention. 4th. Also the account current of the Royal Sappers and Miners, which are of a similar nature to those of the Royal Artillery. 5th. As well as the account current of the officers of the corps of Royal Engineers, all of those three accounts are prepared in triplicate by the storekeeper, who acts in those last three duties as Paymaster of the Ordnance Military Corps. 6th. The Commissariat account of moneys received from and paid to them: -This account is attended with much labour, the Treasury requiring from us documents similar to those furnished for the Ordnance offices at home. In addition to the foregoing are various periodical returns distinct from the accounts, and which it is perhaps unnecessary to enumerate, and the keeping up of all the cash, draft, and other official books, cash-ledger, &c. STORE ACCOUNT DEPARTMENT. The routine of duties performed in this office consists principally in the superintendence of the receipt and issues of ammunition, stores, bedding, clothing, &c., from England and Ceylon, from and to the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Her Majesty's troops, the Barrack and Quartermaster-General's Department, the Colonial Government, Her Majesty's and the Honorable East India Company's vessels of war, Police, &c., all the stores for whom are con- signed to, and pass through, the books of the Ordnance Storekeeper, and the inspection of which, first in receipt and ultimately in issue, demands much of the time that may be supposed to be devoted to the desk, and often renders the prepa- ration of vouchers and documents thereby required, a work of extra hours and great exertion, from (in many cases), the hurried departure of the ships, and the number of vouchers required being four to support each naval issue, or receipt, (no less than forty-three of which took place during the last two months,) and three for all other departments of the service; these are again to be entered in receipt and issue books, and, lastly, posted in the station ledger; when it is stated that there are nearly 4,000 heads of articles therein, most of which are kept distinctly under the denominations of serviceable, repairable, and unservice. able, a great number of which having, within the last few weeks, been handed over by the Engineer Department, and not being on the Storekeeper's ledger before, have much increased his labour and responsibility, as every trifling article used by that department is issued by him as required. It may also be noted, that no less than seventeen vessels have arrived with ammunition and stores from England and Ceylon during the last eighteen months, another being daily expected. Receiving, examining, and comparing these stores with the bills of lading, occupies much time. The demands, for stores for the Artillery, Navy, Barrack, Storekeeper, Quartermaster-General's, Commissariat, Department, &c., are all incorporated in one in this office, entered, and forwarded home. In addition to the foregoing, many periodical returns are required to be made and registered in the office, some of great length, and many other duties that are not easily enumerated. The details of the two branches into which the Ordnance duties are thus far divided, by no means comprise the entire thereof, many and arduous services being performed by the Storekeeper and Deputy-Storekeeper, independent of sharing the foregoing, and the general superintendence of the department and its duties; some of these are giving directions and countersigning. memorandums connected with the receipt and issues of all stores, &c., the final examination of all accounts and documents, drafting letters and preparing correspondence, minutes of the respective officers, preparing the estimates for all pay, allow- ances, &c., all requisitions for repairs to barracks and public buildings are sent to this office in duplicate.-1st. For examination and direction to prepare estimates, 2nd, For execution, and,-3dly. For half-yearly returns and reports. So far from any reduction being possible in the Ordnance Storekeeper's Office, he has been obliged lately to apply for, and obtain the authority of the respective officers, to employ two extra temporary clerks; and, in further proof of the duties being excessive, the hours of attendance have been extended for some months past considerably beyond the usual office-hours, besides being at the storehouses frequently earlier than the regulated time. Such are the various occupations of the Storekeeper's Department, that the clerks from one branch are constantly called off to assist in that of another; this is very desirable, and indeed necessary, as in the event of one being ill, another is enabled to perform his duty, or at least to some extent. Hence it is impracticable to give a "Table, showing the duties which each individual is required to perform." (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Office of Ordnance, Hong Kong, April 19, 1849. Ordnance Storekeeper. The following books are kept in this office, viz.:- Cash Ledger. Cash Book. Draft Book. Rent Book. Remarks on Cash Accounts. Warrant Ledger. Draft Check Book. Register of Contracts. Register of Letters of Credit. Store Ledger. Issue of Stores. Receipt of Stores. Conversion of Stores Expended. Annual Demand of Stores. List and Check of all People Employed. Letters from the Board to the Respective Officers of Ordnance. Letters from the Board to the Barrack. Letters from the Board to the Civil Officers. General Orders-Ordnance. General Orders--Barrack. Letters from the Barrack Master. Assistant Adjutant-General. Quarter-Master General. Brigade Major. Military Secretary. Commanding Royal Engineer. Commissariat Department, Naval Department. Various Corps and Officers, Colonial Department. Private Individuals. Book of Models of Printed Forms. Letters to the Honorable Board from the Respective Officers of Ordnance. Letters to the Honorable Board-Civil Officers. Letters to Various Departments-Civil Officers. Copies of Requisitions for Stores and Repairs. Copies of Requisitions for Transport. Daily Attendance of all Officers and Clerks. Order for the Issue of Stores. Watch Book. Work Performed. Storehousemen's Books (5). Record of Encroachments. Local General Orders. Register of Casual Barrack Repairs. Copies of Monthly, Quarterly, Half Yearly, and Yearly Returns. Record of Barrack Returns transmitted to the Honorable Board. Books of Reference. Ordnance Regulations, and 3 volumes of General Orders. Royal Warrant and Barrack Regulation, and Addenda. Orders and Regulations-Engincers and Sappers and Miners. Commissariat Regulations. Ordnance Medical Regulations. Finance Regulations-Royal Artillery. Office of Ordnance, April 19, 1849. Military. (Signed) HENRY ST. HILL, Storekeeper. Enclosure 11. Assistant-Commissary General to the Major of Brigade. Commissariat China, Hong Kong, April 10, 1849. WITH reference to your letter of the 4th instant, I beg to annex for the information of the Honorable the Major-General commanding, a statement "detailing the duties of this department, the pay and allowances of the estab>- lishment, and general cost annually to the Government." The latter part of this information is merely a transcript of what has already been furnished for a similar purpose, while the former is limited to an outline which could not well be exceeded, without a lengthy analysis of our whole business and accounts. I note on the margin* the establishment fixed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, when, by the evacuation of Clusan, the duties at Hong Kong were reduced to about their present extent; and it will be perceived that this establishment exceeds the number of persons now employed, by one Deputy-Assistant Commissary-General, and two Clerks, while the subordinate appointments have been correspondingly diminished. Taking into consideration the great pecuniary responsibility devolving upon this department, the distance from home, the peculiarity of the climate, the necessity for having experienced officers to prepare the accounts, and conduct the charge in the event of sickness or other casualties, I am of opinion, and have reported accordingly to their Lordships, that the department could not con- sistently with efficiency, be reduced below its present strength. At the same time, I am desirous of enlarging the sphere of its usefulness to the public service as much as possible; and with this view have already sug- gested for their Lordships' consideration, whether the duty now performed by the Colonial Treasurer could not be transferred to the Commissariat, a duty, which, if modified to our regulations, I am willing to undertake, with the addi- tional assistance (perhaps only temporary) of the Treasurer's second clerk, and which would thus effect a direct saving of 1,8791. per annum. I have also suggested for their Lordships' further consideration, whether the comparatively small amount of public works now in operation, or likely to be undertaken, could not be superintended by the Royal Engineers, and thus by abolishing the separate department hitherto maintained for the purpose, diminish the public expenditure by about 2,000%. a year more. These suggestions have been made in furtherance of their Lordships' instruc- tions to me, as well as of what the large contributions from our chest for civil services in this country, renders an integral part of my duty. They were the most prominent and simple to begin with, and have not been followed by others on my part, because bis Excellency the Governor will probably, in compliance with the special instructions of Her Majesty's Government, go more deeply into the subject than I could, and bring under particular notice those appointinents and salaries of the civil service which, it is respectfully submitted must have been fixed at first, in anticipation of a far wider sphere of action and responsi- bility, than ever has existed, or is ever likely to exist, in this limited colony. In forwarding for his Excellency's information an account of the stores on hand, with their estimated value, and a description of the buildings in our pos- session, I beg to observe, that it is out of my power to calculate exactly what the store rooms are capable of holding: but that the vacant portions of them might perhaps afford stowage for about three or four times the amount of their present It is, however, to be further observe, that the bulk of the supplies are furnished under annual contracts, direct to the troops and military depart- ments; and that although they do not actually pass through the publie magazines, still there is the same amount of minute detail required in accounting for and superintending them as if they did. contents. Besides, if anything should occur to disturb the successful operation of these contracts, not only would the whole of the store-rooms, and perhaps more, be immediately wanted, but an efficient staff of persons should always be ready to adopt a different system of supply, almost at a moment's notice, the necessity for such an alternative being by no means improbable in a country like this. * 1 Assistant-Commissary-General, 2 Deputy-Assistant-Commissaries General, 4 Clerks. This brings me to the last question: whether a union of the naval victualling department with the Commissariat, would be practicable? a question which would seem to hinge upon so many collateral circumstances, that I feel unable, for want of sufficient information as to the nature and extent of the proposed duty, to submit a decided opinion with respect to it. From the large squadron of ships of war which may always be expected at this the head quarters of the Indian station, it may be inferred that the duty is very extensive; that it would require our full authorized establishment to carry it on; and that the capacity of our magazines would be inadequate to the main- tenance of a proper stock of supplies, while those insecure ones now used by the naval storekeeper, are from one to two miles distant from us. At some stations, like, for instance, the Australian Colonies, all victualling stores are certainly supplied by the Commissariat for naval purposes; but the issues are confined to perhaps two or three small vessels in the course of a year, and conducted under the Commissariat regulations, which are drawn up with reference to military authority alone; while at this station there are now one line of battle-ship, one frigate, three war-steamiers, four or five sloops of war, a store-ship, and one for hospital purposes, with a naval Commander-in-chief, who, together with the Lords of the Admiralty, might not in transactions of such magnitude and import- ance as must thus arise, like to depend altogether upon any department not under their own immediate authority and control. I have, &c. (Signed) JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. EXPENSE of the Commissariat Department at Hong Kong for one year. QUANTITY and Estimated Value of Provisions, Fuel, &c., in Her Majesty's Commissariat Magazines, at Hong Kong on the 31st March, 1849. Fuel, coal Articles. Quantity. Estinated sterling. Provisions Salt meat. Ghee Turmeric £. S. d. 1,589 0 0 Arrow root tons Ibs. 135.0.0.0 253 15 0 Hospital 1,509 125 188 6 8 2 Amounting to £2,424 19 4 supplies. Preserved meat,, 184 11 0 Soup concent. pts. Rum Vinegar (Signed) Commissariat Office, Hong Kong, April 10, 1849. JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. Rank and name. allowances of each individual for one year. Remarks. Assistant Commissary-Gene- ral Smith Deputy Assistant Commis- sary-General Carpenter Treasury clerk, Fagan 248 17 6 In charge and general superintendence of department, with the preparation of all contracts both for com- missariat and ordnance services; correspondence and negotiation of bills on the Treasury, to raise money for every public service in the colony,a very re- sponsible and delicate duty, which in the last year ending 31st March has yielded a profit of £2,949 10s. Gd., or £1,164 9s. 34. more than the whole ex- pense of the department. Sub-accountant in charge of the commissariat chest and cash accounts, with all the detail payments to army, navy, ordnance, and advances for colonial services, together with the voluminous transactions arising therefrom; the annual expenditure being £157,305 6s. 3. sterling. Sub-accountant in charge of the store duties and trans- port, with the numerous returns and accounts con- nected therewith; member of a standing board of survey on commissariat supplies; superintends con- tractors; checks their accounts; and as an efficient officer, is ready at a moment's notice for any out- post duty that may be required. Assists generally as required in keeping the books, inaking up accounts, filling up Treasury bills, and copying documents. Attends to the receipt and issue of provisions, fuel, &c. in detail, and superintends storeinen. Attends to the receipt and issue of provisions, fuel, &c. and charge of commissariat store at Stanley, Temporary clerk, J. A. 187 10 0 One issuer One assistant issuer at Compradore, shroff, coolics, boatmen, and contin- gencies 357 10 0 Total for one year Commissariat Office, Hong Kong, April 10, 1849. £1785 1 3 sterling. (Signed) JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. LIST of other Buildings besides Stores in possession of the Commissariat Depart- ment at Hong Kong. Purpose for which each building is appropriated. A dwelling house of granite and brick, hired by the respective officers of Ord- nauce, at £500 per annum. Description. GROUND FLOOR. 1 Room, mea. 24 × 20 feet Cash office, &c. Dwelling-room for office keeper, coolies, &c. Issuer's office 1 Ditto, 1 Ditto, 24 × 20 20 x 13 1 Ditto, 15 × 19 "" 1 Ditto, Money vault Ante-room to money vault FIRST FLOOR, 1 Room, mea, 24 x 20 feet 1 Ditto, 2 Ditto, Office of senior commissariat officer Provision office SECOND FLOOR. 4 Roons, naa, each 24 × 20 feet) Outhouses, viz., Servants rooms, kitchen and Quarters for three officers The stores belonging to this building are described with the Government stores. (Signed) JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. Commissariat Office, Hong Kong, April 10, 1849. LIST of Stores in possession of the Commissariat Department at Victoria, Hong Kong, Government building. Attached to the hired building. Description of building. One store measuring 100 x 75 feet (temporary and inconvenient) 49 x 40 feet 49 × 40, Contents, &c. Storage of empty packages, &c. of which there are a great number Storage of salt meat, ghee, Turmeric, and rum. Might store, in case of emergency, about four times the present quantity for a short pe- riod. A large consignment of salt provisions is ex- pected shortly. Coal store, capable of containing about twice the present quantity. 150 tons expected from England in October next. Implement store; also vinegar, and hospital supplies. Might be made to hold three times the present quantity. Used as a cooperage. Commissariat Office, Hong Kong, April 10, 1849. (Signed) JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. Enclosure 12. ESTIMATED Cost of the several Articles included in the annexed Abstract, as issued by the Commissariat Department at Hong Kong during the year ending March 31, 1849. Articles. Quantity. Amount in Sterling. Biscuit Broad Beef, fresh 6,692 lbs. 7 oz. or 59 bags 1,87 per pound 205,290 » 5 " 1334 7 9 2285 11 10 Beef, salt 5 or 33 tierces 250 11 2 Pork, salt or 44 do. 150,947 13 13,186 14 Turmeric 7,725, 15 77 12 12 Chillies 11 17 10 Salt fish. Tamarinds Mustard seed Arrow root 68 doz. 1 bot. 172 10 0 3,002 gals. 44 qts. 1 10 per gallon 149 tons 10 cwt. 1 qr, 0 lb. 809,434 lbs. 0 oz. 37 6 per ton Cotton wick 33,937 " 128 " 10 per 3 pounds 8 " 14 " 12 dwts. TOO per pound 1000000-------OOONCHIOLA. 4 94 93 0 B 128 15 4 $7335 4 8 Amounting to seven thousand three hundred and thirty-five pounds four shillings and eightpence sterling. (Signed) JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. Commissariat, China, Hong Kong, May 22, 1849. Turmeric. ABSTRACT of Provisions, Fuel, and Light issued by the Commissariat Department at Hong Kong, during the year commencing April, 1848, and ending March, 1849. Salt Beef. Salt Pork. 14,096 5 17,785 9 150,947 13 13,186 14 7,725 15 lbs. oz. 1,698 14 September. November. December. lbs. oz. 14,772 13 17,363 0 17,070 7 16,593 12 18,250 11 15,763 17,309 8 16,521 18,120 7 14,297 0 14,328 0 14,430 13 15,792 15 1,799 13 1,822 10 889 10 2,232 8 929 10 2,041 14 1,455 11 1,442 10 1,548 12 Ibs. oz. 9,898 7 lbs. 14,808 12 lbs. oz. 2,169 14 lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. 10,413 14 16,388 3 10,010 9 10,515 2 20,819 10 11,025 0 1,386 10 February 18,501 3 13,343 12 16,690 14,290 7 15,521 1,214 14 1,241 14 882 7 1,337 4 1,563 10 1,409 14 15,781 10 10,800 2 1,126 10 1,153 10 Biscuit. 205,290 5 Brandy. Gin. Vinegar. Cotton Wick. Madeira. ABSTRACT of Provisions, Fuel, and Light, issued by the Commissariat Department at Hong Kong, during the year commencing April, 1848, and ending March, 1849-continued. Arrowroot. Tamarinds. 39 152 | 68 1 24 138 112 5 3,002 44 1,381 18149 10 1 0 809,434 33,937 8 128 14 12 (Signed) JNO. W. SMITH, A.C.G. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. lbs. oz. lbs. doz. bot. doz. dez. doz. bot. galis. tons, cwt.qr.lbs. 4 4 1 14 2017 108 0 49 13 190 9 201 2 107 2 49 8 265 0 September November. December. 207 8 112 0 195 0 51 10 178 5 79 11 88 10 177 12 182 14 -- 179 13 170 8 628 9 1,212 8 205 478 92,646 9 15 68 1 24 138 111 5 lbs. oz. 65,841 2,427 3 63,977 2,114 6 66,782 2,189 4 0 16 1 10 71,055 || 2,475 10|| 0 6 3 14 67,389 2,082 7: lbs. oz.dwt. 2 17 0 18 69,178 | 3,625 7 69,002 | 3,063 0 675 26 1,225 18 34 7 1 12 70,394 3,151 8 64,718 lbs. February 15 0 13 9 168 3 155 0 42 14 275 14 738 4 34 17 1 12 69,496 33 15 0 14 69,140 3,296 9 31 4 2 8 62,464 2,981 7 11 10 14 12 13 10 Chillies. Tobacco, Salt Fish. 380 10 2,405 31,257 6 588 13 2,954 14 4,444 878 92,646 9 Commissariat Office, Hong Kong, May 8, 1849. Enclosure 13. Table of Duties performed by the Barrack Deportment at Hong Kong. 1. The Barrack Master. The Barrack Serjeants. The Barrack Clerk. 4. The Barrack Office Coolies. 1. The Barrack Master, INSPECTS the barracks and hospitals at Victória, Stanley, and Saiwan, and assesses the damages once a month, examines and signs all official documents, is present at the receipt or issue of barrack-stores to the military, present at the meeting of respective officers, pays over to the store-keeper all monies received by him from the different corps, for rents, damages to buildings, deficiencies of stores, and washing sheets. Pays all bills for work performed for the Barrack department, under the sum of ten pounds, and attends the barrack from 9 A.M. till 3 P.M. to conduct the duties of the department. 2 One Barrack Serjeant, at Victoria, at Stanley, Inspects all barracks and hospitals in Victoria once a day, and reports to the Barrack Master any accidents or irregularities that may come under his notice, keeps up a daily Report Book, certifying that he has visited the several barracks and hospitals, and notifying any irregularities, keeps the barrack-store in a proper order, the barrack-bedding separate from the hospital, and has the stores at all times neatly arranged, and the bedding properly aired. Keeps an account of all the bedding given to the contractor to wash, and counts them when received into store. Opens all windows of unoccupied quarters, and has them kept in proper order for reoccupation, attends the Barrack Master at all his monthly inspections. Issues the oil daily to the contractor for lighting exterior lamps. One Clerk, Makes out all cash vouchers belonging to the barrack department, and enters each item daily in cash-book, keeps an account of all stores received and expended, lost or destroyed, keeps up the barrack-store ledger, the letter books A and E, and the different guard books in a fit state, when called for by the respective officers or any other authority. Keeps duplicates of all returns for- warded home, or to any other office. Makes out the fair wear returns in tripli- cate, damages to buildings in quadruplicate, deficiencies in stores in quadruplicate, for each corps monthly, keeping a copy of each in the barrack-office. 4. Two Office Coolies. They assist the Barrack Serjeant at the receipt or issue of stores, and airing and sorting bedding, carrying all correspondence, documents, &c., to the different offices, and keeping the barrack-office clean. (Signed) J. R. LUGG, Lieut., R.A. For Acting Barrack Master. Gentlemen, Enclosure 14. Lieutenant-Colonel Phillpotts to the Ordnance Officers. Royal Engineer Office, Hong Kong, April 10, 1849. WITH reference to the Brigade Major's letter of the 4th Instant, calling for "the amount already expended upon public buildings" in this colony, I have the honor to annex the following statement, viz: The amount of expenditure, including large sums for temporary buildings and repairs), which was made chargeable by the Treasury to the Ordnance, prior to its being brought into annual estimates in the usual way was £146,838 0 The amount expended on the annual estimates from that period to the 31st ultimo, being on the approved annual estimates for 1846-47, 1847-48, and 1848-49, was 1 Captain or Brevet-Major. 1 First Licutenant. Sappers and Miners. ROYAL ENGINEERS, CIVIL DEPARTMENT. SCHEDULE of the Pay and Allowances of all Persons belonging to the Royal Engineer Department at Hong Kong, ROYAL ENGINEERS, Gross pay and allowances per Deduct Income Deduct Superannua- tion Fund. Nett pay and allowances per 1 Lieutenant-Colonel Com- manding. £ S. d. 1,322 10 10 £ .S. d. 38 11 52 £ 8. d. 1,283 19 41 789 10 10 766 10 3 346 19 104 1 Ditto attached to Royal 378 13 4 367 12 53 58,321 4 8 2 Clerks of Works, 4th Class 1 Foreman, Ditto, 2nd Class. 1 Clerk, 4th Class. 589 0 0 258 0 0 203 5 0 558 10 8 7 10 6 5 11 195 12 5 Total £205,159 5 1,004 12 7 ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. With regard to "what further outlay may be in contemplation either for additional works, improvements, or repairs," I beg leave to state that the estimates for the present year, which commenced on the 1st instant, are not yet authorized. The amounts as originally submitted to England in August last for consideration, were for Ordnance Services Barrack. These were subsequently reduced in compliance with the Board's order, dated 22nd September last, as follows, viz: Ordnance