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limits indicated by the letters. A and B are the eastern and western boundaries respectively; further enquiry is necessary in order to determine exactly what ground is necessary to the north of these limits it would be necessary to reserve for the safety of the public.
(c) These agreements to be in some legal and binding form, to prevent future complications such as have already occurred. It may be well that they should be made under the sanction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, as it has been intimated in the course of negotiations that restrictions on the sale of land made without such sanction may be of doubtful validity.
7. As regards the two conditions laid down in the resolution of the Executive Council, conveyed in the Governor's letter of 16th March 1891, although it would not in my opinion be expedient under present circumstances to attempt to enforce the grant before the arrival of the promised reinforcements or at all events until their despatch has been definitely provided for, which I urgently hope may not be long delayed, and without which the new works would be useless, the postponement of the grant until the completion of the works will probably entail such inconvenience of accounts and will necessitate a reconsideration of this condition.
I have &c.
(Sd) G. Digby Barker, Major General, Commanding the Troops in China.