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Telegram from the Governor of Hongkong to the Secretary of State
for the Colonies, dated the 9th April, 1903.
Peti-
Petition signed most influentially forwarded by next mail asking appointment of Royal Commission investigate question of dock extension of Naval Yard. tion proposes to provide better site on island without additional expense Imperial Government. This is telegraphed at special request. Cordially endorse prayer.
BLAKE.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 17th April, 1903.
SIR,I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant enclosing a Petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies regarding the Naval Yard Extension and Dockyard, and to inform you that I have caused it to be transmitted to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN with an expression of my strong approval of the prayer which it embodies.
2. I have also, as requested in the third parapraph of your letter under acknow- ledgment, telegraphed a summary of the petition to London.
The Honourable
Sir C. P. CHATER, Kt., C.M.G.
I have, etc.
H. A. BLAKE,
Governor.
No. 214. HONGKONG.
DOWNING STREET,
5th June, 1903.
SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 184 of the 8th April last, forwarding a petition from residents in Hongkong to the effect that the Naval Yard should be removed to another site.
2. It is suggested that the present site of the Naval Yard is inadequate for the purposes of His Majesty's Navy, but I am informed by the Lords Commis- sioners of the Admiralty, that though it would no doubt be an advantage if more room were available for extension, the area of the Naval Yard, when completed, will be 39 acres, and there is space for the construction of another dock of the largest size, should an additional dock be found necessary at some future date. There is therefore no necessity, from a Naval point of view, for any change of site.
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3. Their Lordships also state that as the abandonment of the scheme for the extension works now under construction at the Naval Yard would mean postponing, for an indefinite period, the provision of a sufficient equipment for the British Naval base in the Far East, they could not under any circumstances consent to stop those works, the early completion of which they believe to be necessary to security.
4. Subject however to these extension works being completed, and to the Navy continuing to occupy the present Yard and anchorage until new accommoda- tion had been provided, their Lordships would be prepared to entertain a proposal to transfer the Yard, as soon as the Colony at its own cost had made equivalent provision for Naval requirements on an approved site. I enclose an extract from a letter from the Admiralty on this subject.