strangely mistaken if troops were then quartered
or long previously I walked
there, as a
day over the ground in Company with The Earl of Elgin.
The ground certainly has been
since abandoned by the Military, and as it lies beyond both the present Civil and Military Encampments, it is difficult to understand in what way it can be said to be within the Military Lines.
I have been careful hitherto to avoid all interference with Military arrangements, but may now say that on
the Kowloon territory being handed over to me I Conceive it to have been the duty of the Military Authorities to have applied for permission to hold all and any ground
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then, or thereafter to be held by them.
To advert however particularly to
the case under discussion I must again point out that the Commanding Royal Engineer has no more right to occupy Napier's Range and erect buildings
thereon than at any place within this Colony.
The propriety of asking for leave was, I understand, suggested to the Commanding Royal Engineer aside by him, and I know that an
unofficial letter from M. Cleverly to Colonel Mann, Advising stoppage of works until Your Excellency's return
from Canton, was disregarded.
Your Excellency desires to be