The only question which would have to be considered would, it seems to me, be whether such a disposition of the several Military Establishments would be necessitated by the adoption of my plan, would be one that could be fully approved by you. I fully believe that any expense that you would be put to by the proposed change would be more than recouped by the sale of some of the land occupied by Military Buildings in Queen's Road.
I assume that the Admiralty will ask that the ground now occupied by the Commissariat, together with the accretion from filling in the foreshore, should be handed over to them. The ground occupied by Wellington Barracks and the Arsenal Yard, measuring together 260,650 square yards, has been roughly estimated to be worth $1,050,000, leaving the buildings out of consideration. It is assumed that this would be more than necessary for building barracks in the place of North Wellington Barracks, and also new Commissariat and Arsenal Stores on the present site of the North Barracks.
The first Government would, in such case, be able to dispose of the reclaimed ground marked D, in the plan, and the proceeds would enable it to undertake the Praya Extension at once, and also provide for an extension of the Naval Yard. If this is done, the details would be a matter for arrangement between the two Imperial Departments. Lots 20 and 21 would, in all probability, be both of them available for sale, and I feel sure that my present proposal will receive your approval, as it is at heart the interests of the Colony that are being considered.
instead of 105,500 square feet which are actually available for these purposes, ... 2 of ... 6. ... I ... than ... 148 ... be adopted, you may ... them.
Page 150
Page 151