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lately, a lot of land. Both these arrangements are, as you observe, subject to whatever Regulations and Rules Her Majesty's Government may be pleased to prescribe.
You are aware that I have had applications for locations, on which it was proposed to erect two patent Slips, and (at one of them) eventually to form docks for repairing and building ships. I consider it very desirable to encourage these undertakings, which are fraught with Public good, and I have therefore given my ready assent to them, and have informed the applicants that the spots they have fixed upon (one at this Starbor, and one at Chekwan) are at their disposal whenever they like; but in the absence of positive intimation from Her Majesty's Government that this Island is to be permanently retained, I fancy there will be some demur about incurring the heavy expense, which will attend the erection of Slips (which have been ordered from England), and it is only necessary I should acquaint you that they are at liberty to do so.
How