of reference 71364 complete the adequate lighting of the town of Victoria to which was made in Despatch No 190 of the 20th August, the 206. The Governor took upon himself the responsibility of at once assenting to the expenditure and I now write to acquaint Your Lordship with the action he has taken, and trust it will meet with Your Lordship's approval.
I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant, Administrator.
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HONGKONG.
LIGHTING THE MILITARY CANTONMENTS WITH GAS.
C.O. 20.373
RECD 21 NOV 81
The following papers have been laid before the Legislative Council by order of His Excellency the Governor.
No. 4408.
ASSISTANT MILITARY SECRETARY TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
MILITARY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 23rd July, 1877.
SIR,-As it is the intention of His Excellency the Major General Commanding again to endeavour to urge on the attention of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for War the expediency of the gradual introduction of gas in the lighting of the Barracks and War Department property generally, I am directed to request that you will have the goodness to submit for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor, whether the Colonial Government would be disposed to share in the expense of the laying down pipes and fitments, and lighting with gas in those parts which may be considered practically on the roads, thoroughfares and avenues open to the public use, such as those on the Eastern and Southern sides of Murray Barracks, and communicating with Victoria Barracks, which are at present without light at all or very indifferently lighted with oil.
His Excellency the Major General Commanding is convinced that should this proposal meet with the concurrence of His Excellency and the Colonial Government great facility would be given in bringing the matter again to the notice of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for War, which may be considered in some degree to affect the interests of the Town generally; and in this case the Commanding Royal Engineer, whose rough estimate of exterior and road lighting is herewith transmitted, would be instructed to communicate with the Surveyor General with the view of entering into the detailed estimate of expense and the relative proportion that it might be considered reasonable should be borne by the Colonial Government.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, A. BASSANO, Colonel, Assistant Military Secretary.
To the Honourable The Colonial Secretary, &c., &c., &c., HONGKONG.
No. 521.
ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY TO ASSISTANT MILITARY SECRETARY.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 24th July, 1877.
SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 4408 of the 23rd instant, which I have laid before His Excellency the Governor.
In reply I am directed to state to you that the Governor entirely concurs with His Excellency the Major-General Commanding in thinking it most desirable to have the lighting carried out in the way he suggests, and that the Commanding Royal Engineer may communicate whenever the General wishes with the Surveyor General so as to draw up detailed Estimates showing the relative proportion of the expenses that should be reasonably borne by the War Department and the local Government respectively.
I have, &c., (Signed) CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
To Colonel BASSANO, C.B., Assistant Military Secretary, &c.
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