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disturbed in November last. The Commanding Royal Engineer, when perambulating the War Department Boundaries without previous notice to this Government, destroyed the huts of the Washer-men within the Colonial limits defined in 1868, and thus not only caused serious loss to the men, but also put the entire Community to much inconvenience for several days.
The action thus taken has naturally led to much correspondence between this Government and the Military Authorities. The Officer in Command has intimated his inability to do anything so long as instructions promised by the War Office are withheld; I am under the necessity of asking Your Lordship's intervention with the Secretary of State for War with a view to the issue of the long promised but hitherto forgotten instructions.
I have only further to add that, to obviate as far as possible any further difficulties, a joint survey has been commenced between the Colonial and War Department Boundaries, which has been approved by the Military Authority.