It is opposed, and with all the desire to promote by every important means in my power for the public good.
The "Praya extension" opinion is that it can be carried out without any difficulty.
Such surrender would be entirely at variance with the War Office plan of keeping the Cantonment perfectly clear of natives and bringing the troops together within one unbroken, defensible enceinte.
Not only do we require for this purpose and the extension of the Naval Yard all the ground already in possession, together with Marine Lots 20 and 21, but provision will have to be made for a greatly increased Garrison and a large Hospital in place of the Hospital Ship "Mauance" when worn out.
Moreover, for sanitary and defensive reasons, we should not be shut in by private buildings on the South and North sides of the Cantonment.
The far greater salubrity of the "North" Barracks, as compared with nearly all the other barracks, is owing to its position on the water's edge and the free current of air.
Your Excellency's suggestions point only to the best means of finding the necessary funds for carrying out the extension of the Praya, not to the plan of construction, with which none of the War Department property interferes.
It is therefore merely a question of money, and I cannot help thinking that if the importance of this great public work be proved to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the War Department will not be unwilling to contribute towards the expense in return for the advantages it derives, as pointed out in my letter No. C490 of the 27th February, 1886, to the Secretary of State for War, of which you have a copy.
I see no other means of accomplishing the object in view consistently with the health, safety, and most efficient location of my department.
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