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accordingly be sent to Lieutenant General, Sir Hope Grant, by the next mail, directing him to nominate a Military Officer, to form, in Conjunction with Naval Officer and the Surveyor General of Hongkong, the proposed Commission.
I am at the same time to request that a copy of the enclosed Memorandum, which embodies the views of Sir George Herbert, as to the necessity of providing adequate and healthy barrack accommodation for the troops stationed in Hongkong, may be laid before the Officers composing the Commission.
In assenting to the proposed arrangement, I Secretary of State presumes that the Colony would not be prepared to acquiesce in the withdrawal of the white Garrison of Hong Kong- a Measure which would be advantageous both to the Troops and to the Imperial Government If, however, the Colonial Government should be of opinion that this course could be adopted, the present question, as far as the interests of the War Department are concerned, would admit of an easy solution.
I am,
your obedient Servant
Arthur ...