Narrowly—
Lyemoon passage—the eastern entrance to the Harbour—and flanking batteries upon Green Island, Stone Cutters Island and Kowloon—which command the approaches by the west—would have been sufficient to carry the policy laid down by Lord Panmure and been more in unison with the ordinary strength of the auxiliary Garrison.
However, this is a question which can only be determined by competent professional authorities at Home. But what I would beg leave most earnestly to urge in reference to the Surveyor General's letter is that the nature and extent of the Batteries to be erected, should forthwith be definitely settled, so that the development of the Colony may not be needlessly obstructed by the reservation of ground for defensive purposes.