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authorised the building of a Barrack at Chek ... when the ground was selected, and it is the only bit of ground there that the board of officers, (amongst whom were the Superintending Surgeon, and another Medical Officer,) deemed fit for that purpose, as this plan embraced the purchase of certain Chinese houses, at Saiwan, if I remember right at that time at Maing, Johnston, and on ... case was remitted to Mr. ... his report Your Excellency refused the outlay, so, of course, nothing has been done.
With respect to Saiwan, Your Excellency authorized a Barrack for 100 Men under the conditions, that it was to be attached to a Battery -- Saiwan is not a fit place for a Battery. The Troops are well posted for the purpose for which they were sent there. At Lymoon, at any point where a Battery could be erected, from the distance, and difficult road, they would have been perfectly useless. Since they have been there, no attempt has been made by Pirates at the most distant Village, Chuck Man -- which they were in time to frustrate. These Troops have been and still remain under canvas, since the hot weather has set in, they are getting very sickly.
The fact of your having reported sufficiency of Barracks here is a matter of no importance. The Government will refer it to the Board of Ordnance, who are well informed upon the subject, and indeed so jealous is this Department ...