On Monday morning last, during a salute from the Murray Battery, a large and lumbersome portion of the ceiling in an upper room of these offices gave way! and destroyed desk and table, but happily without personal injury to any one on the floor.
Several panes of painted glass were demolished in the verandah of the public offices.
Complaints from the proprietors of existing houses near the Battery are frequently received.
I have, &c., (Signed) W. J. Mercer, Colonial Secretary.
Jane Looby, · Cowstall
197
5
(Copy) Town Major's Office
Pretoria, Hongkong, 16 May 1866
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date No 330, and have to state in reply, by desire of the Officer Commanding the Garrison, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that our present salutes must be fired from the old saluting Battery, as previous to Lt: Col. Diph's arrival in the Colony, the Royal Artillery were quartered in the North Barracks, and the Field Troop were at the spot, that Barrack is now occupied by the 59th Regt, and the Royal Artillery are now at the Royal Artillery Barracks.
The Colonial Secretary
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