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impolicy and inconvenience of the Military dealing with a large question piecemeal and in reference, acting to one interest only and above all without the privity of this Government. The latter has certain legal rights and amongst the rights over almost all private lots, reserved in lots like Fletcher's, which the Military it appears, was purchasing without my knowledge, to a Sublic Gaya in front of that lot.

14. Had the Military got possession of Fletcher's lot with that right unafferted by the Colony, it is evident that Your Grace would have been left helpless afterwards, whatever might have ultimately proved to be the expediency of opening a passage through that lot. At the same time the important question of one Praya along the whole front of the town would have been still hopelessly adjourned further and more.

15. When Vice Admiral Sir Henry Keppel arrives, I hope in conjunction with the General to discuss with him the practicability of forming a Praya in deeper water in front of Military and Naval property. I cannot but think that, whether in a sanitary point of view or as a matter of mere convenience, the question deserves and is one which if discussed in a proper spirit, is quite capable of a satisfactory solution.

At the same time I am satisfied that but for the accident, which led to my asserting the right of this Government to open a passage to the sea through Fletcher's lot, Your Grace would never have had a voice in the matter. That would have been the inevitable result of one Department forwarding DX.

16.

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