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be given
to the wants
of the
Community and the wishes
of the local Government,
the acquisition of
this new and much
territory will prove of importance to Hong Kong as
a mercantile entrepôt.
24. I have referred to the sojourn
and passage of Mercantile Marine because
it is a point of interest
and I am not aware
it has been duly noted
elsewhere.
25. It deserves however to
be put on record, the utility of
this showing and justifying the opinion
of (Mr. Ellis) one of the members of
the Commission for enquiring into the military defences of the Colonies when he
classed Hong Kong among the "places which irrespectively
of any intrinsic value
"Colonies may be deemed
"Stations important to the
"general strength of the Empire"
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's Most Obedient Servant,
Colonial Secretary