584
Any reply to this letter should quote the above number, and be addressed to the Secretary
and the greater part of the Island on the 2500 Scale; he informs me that in consequence of the extreme dampness of the climate & the low level of the ground, the mist which envelopes the hills during the year, survey operations can only be profitably carried out from Oct? to March.
He also recommends, in consequence of the extreme dampness, that the Office work of the Survey, plotting, drawing &c. be done.
of in this country. A limited number of labourers might probably be obtained from the Royal Engineers & the Infantry quartered at Hong Kong, and there are a few from the (Colony), Two Royal Engineer Officers, who have been on the Ordnance Survey at Hong Kong, but I understand that the Engineer work is so heavy at the Station that neither of them would be able to give that continuous supervision which will be necessary at the commencement of the Survey,