or Batteries were required for Colonial or Imperial purposes, and the principle of paying for those batteries which were considered absolutely necessary for the protection of Colonial Interests has been indirectly admitted hitherto - as HK is concerned.
There is another reason, and that is that 3 of the 4 batteries were built on Military Reserves, and the 4th on ground of which the possession has never been accurately defined, but which will now be included in the Military Reserves.
It is true that the expense... there are differences on both sides regarding this question, but I agree with Innes Mercer that this expense should be borne by the Military Expenditure for Hongkong, which has always been despised by the Imperial...