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considered by Lieut. General Cameron to be inapplicable to a cave of such emergency owing to the length of time and the quantity of material which would be required to construct it.
It is estimated by the Staff Officer Master that to block the passage in this manner, would take 38 large junks and would cost $100,000; and that if a levy were made on the waters of the Colony; if a proper Staff were employed; and if the supply of stores were forthcoming, the work might be done in from 10 to 14 days, working day and night.
5. It would be most dangerous to rely on these contingencies. On the outbreak of hostilities the Royal Engineers would be fully employed in other ways, and it would be impossible for the Military Authorities to guarantee that the necessary staff would be available for superintendence; the effect of war would have on the supply of Chinese laborers on which we should have to rely, and which would be required for other urgent works—depending upon circumstances which cannot be foreseen; and lastly any junks which might be in the harbour would only have to be within a mile or two of the Cave to be within Chinese waters, where their seizure might lead to difficulties with the Government of China.
4. The estimate of the Surveyor General for a permanent breakwater, built up to 5 feet below low water level was only $100,000 and His Excellency would strongly urge the adoption of this plan.