433
Memo: on Colonial requirements at Kowloon.
was
The Original demand for building land for Naval and Military purposes was so excessive, Considering the area really available
that a remonstrance was naturally made to appropriation, by the Governor and Surveyor General on behalf of Colonial or Mercantile interests; and accordingly the Home Government directed that the subject should be considered "with the view of affording the greatest possible ... to commerce generally, due regard being had to the Naval and Military interests of the Empire,
and in the memo: which His Grace the Duke of Newcastle directed should be laid before the Commission it is stated, "The Secretary of State for ... has every wish ... to avoid any course likely to interfere with the Commercial growth of Hong Kong,
and he "considers that it is of the highest importance "to lay out the newly acquired territory in such "a manner as to give the Colony every facility for development."
When the Secretary of State for the Colonies forwarded the above memo: he Concludes "Duke of Newcastle his despatch as follows "I trust that under the proposed arrangement there will be no difficulty in arriving at a decision which will "be beneficial to all the interests concerned".
In the memo: of the Commanding Royal Engineer the principle thus laid down appears to have been altogether overlooked, the question is viewed solely from a Military point of View, and no attempt is made to reconcile ...