113 21
the Northern shore of the harbour is a source of great inconvenience and of insecurity for property' ; but should
this territory fall into the hands of any foreign power, other than great Britain, the Consequences would be
disastrous
1. Ow the attached plan the ドン
lands I recommend to be acquired
are colored yellow, and the frontier
I propose is drawn from the Northe
of Stonecutter's island to a creek of
Juir's
16
Bay.
In the event of hostilities with China, the presence of one or two gunboats in Mirs bay, would restrict the line to be defended to the
Jance
*
»
€
sance extent of frontier
porcess.
17.
As
as we hol
t to defensive works
Yet
have been constructed at Kowloon
for the protection of our present
existing proutier.
18. The land to be acquired by
this arrangement, though apparently
Very extensive, is not valuable in itself. It is all of a rough and hilly nature, with no natural vegetation,
little or no cultivation
-resident population.
19.
and a small.
In conclusion I beg to report
that I have forwarded a copy of
this letter to Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at Peking, and
also