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Lieutenant-Colonels Ellis and Barker, the Officers who were - went to report on the Defence of Hong Kong and other Colonies. Work
In this letter they state that they intend to urge on the War Office the absolute necessity of blocking Hellets bank by means of piles, as the distance from Belcher's Point to Stonecutter's Island, 4000 yards, is too great to be efficiently defended by Submarine mines unassisted by passive obstructions.
I informed the Chamber of Commerce of this proposal, and asked them to report what would be the effect of the proposed obstruction on the Shipping interests. In their reply, of which a copy is annexed, they state that obstruction on Hellet's Bank would not, in their opinion, interfere with the navigation of the Western Entrance of the Port.
3 July 1886.
3.
beg an this at the same time