in China
Officer Commanding and Straits Settlements, I have the honour most respectfully to request Her Majesty's Government will reconsider its decision under which this Colony is charged with the transport expenses of the Stores for the fortifications, such charge having been never remotely hinted at when we were called upon to contribute £116,000 towards the complete system of defence designed for us at the War Office. The amount was freely voted by the Legislature; although, as you are aware, the Revenue was in no way equal to the demand, and the money had to be borrowed.
It now appears these charges for transport together with the additional cost of alterations to works originally designed at the War Office and for which no responsibility whatever attaches to us will probably amount