377
Resolved,-
2. It is the unanimous hope of this Council that as the additional moneys voted have been asked for and granted as the Colony's contribution to an increased garrison and principally, if not entirely because of the pro- posed increase, no demand will be made by the Imperial Government for the payment thereof until the strength of the garrison has actually been raised to the full extent. of the figures in the Secretary of State's despatch, and that, if any additional payment is demanded before that point has been reached, it should be proportional to such increase as shall from time to time be made in the force stationed in the Colony.
Resolved,--
3. That in the opinion of this Council the attention of the Secretary of
State should be directed to the fact to which no reference is made in Lord KNUTSFORD'S despatch of the 20th January, 1890, that the Military De- partments are in the occupation of rather more than 337 acres of land in this Colony, of which 84 acres are in the City of Victoria; that these 84 acres are situate in the very centre of the town and are, at the very low- est, of the value of Three millions. of Dollars representing a revenue in the shape of Crown Rents and Taxes of $50,000 a year lost to the Colony, and that this being so it is earnestly hoped that no further demand will be made on the Colony in respect of Barrack Expenditure, referred to in paras. 20, 21 and 22 of the despatch above-mentioned, at all events unless the land in the centre of the town be given up by the Military Authorities, as has been suggested, in exchange for other sites nearer the batteries.
Resolved,-
4. That His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government be re- quested to forward a copy of these Resolutions to the Secretary of State with a view to their being laid before Her Majesty's Government.
HONGKONG.
No. 148.
C. O, 23 May.
W. 0.14 July.
SIB,
DOWNING STREET,
25th July, 1890.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 82, of the 1st of April last, reporting that the Legislative Council had unanimously voted the increased Military Contribution, but had also adopted certain Resolutions bearing on the question.
In reply I transmit to you copies of correspondence on the subject between this Department and the War Office, as noted in the margin.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG.
humble Servant,
KNUTSFORD.