26
AR3
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wants; The Barracks, Store houses and Hospital yea in Victoria occupy 35 acres, and such an area is comprised within the lines marked LH.II.
is one
I object to the occupation of Point 1, as it is of vast consequence for Mercantile objects, believing that PIM.N.0 points, in conjunction with those on Stone Cutters Island, and on Hongkong are ample for the defence of the Harbour. I hold also that it is undesirable to have the defences of the Town and Harbour, in the Harbour and Town itself, and this principle has been fully recognised by the late Commission of the English Coasts and the defences of Dockyards.
I am probably willing to agree to the plans of the Commanding Royal Engineer if they can be confined within the limits of 50 acres in the position chosen by him, if the point I be given over to the Civil Community, failing this I propose that the whole arrangement should be changed, and a belt of land extending from the West, to the sea on the East marked O.H.M. should be devoted to the Cantonment, it is inconveniently situated for Commercial, and possesses many advantages for Military purposes, which the other site does not; viz, ample distance from the Chinese Town, isolation from the European residences, causing no injury to Mercantile interests, a clear space at the back, which need never be interfered with in any material degree, a cheerful aspect and, I maintain, a better site than that chosen; and for this