The importance of the subject will I think be conceded when it is borne in mind that although we have been in possession of the Colony nearly half a century, little has been known of its geology, that the formation has generally been described as granitic, whereas true granite is found in a comparatively small area, the larger portion of the surface being composed of igneous or metamorphic rocks.
Recently lodes of lead containing silver have been discovered both in the island of Hongkong and in the Perrinara of Kudlown, and although it would be premature to conclude that they are likely to prove of commercial value, two qualified mining engineers reported favourably on the Hongkong deposit, and it is not improbable that a thorough and detailed investigation of all of the lands of the Colony would result in the discovery of other lodes.
I have ...
(Signed) S. Brown, Purveyor General.
Enclosure 3.
Surgeon Arrival Office, Hongkong, 25th April, 1870.
Subsequent correspondence with reference to the proposed Survey: see my minute of 12th April 1890 on C.O. Despatch No.2% and to the Survey of some property at Aberdeen (C.O. 495, 1890) appears to show that the position of affairs as regards the Surveys of the Colony and the relations between the Surveyor General's Dept and the Land Office require further explanation. As it is important that before arrangements are made by the Colonial Office for the survey, the object of the survey should be clearly understood, it appears desirable to enter somewhat fully on the subject.
Before referring to the new Survey, it may be well if I clear up some points raised in your letter of ...