arises, it should be cheaper, after securing the junks, to hire men to load them, paying the Owners of the stone (if any) reasonable compensation,
I have … (Signed) A.G. Thomsett, Harbour Master …
Confidential.
Enclosure II.
Assistant Military Secretary
[RECY
5400
201
REGP 21 MAR 87
The letter of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, dated 5th January 1887, and correspondence attached is returned herewith, together with a report by the Commandant Eastern Battalion dated the 19th Instant.
In comparing the different schemes under consideration, I would observe that as it would probably be necessary to drive the piles at least 18 feet below the present bottom, the pile scheme would be expensive at first, very liable to damage and would necessitate large annual outlay in repairs.
The obstacle would also be of a nature which could be easily destroyed by boats, and its efficient protection by submarine mines may, I think, be considered impracticable (if the existing line of defence…)