Treasury Chambers, 27th August 1896.
C.O. 18944
The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury have had before Them Mr Awdry's letter of the 19th instant, in further explanation of the proposed compulsory acquisition of Mr Sharp's property for the enlargement of the Dockyard at Hong Kong.
Assuming that this property is indispensable for carrying out the scheme of extension approved by Parliament, My Lords cannot withhold Their sanction to any steps requisite for obtaining it on reasonable terms.
The Colonial Ordinance under which it is proposed to ask the Hong Kong Government to proceed is called the "Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance", and this implies that Mr Sharp's property is Crown Land; My Lords would therefore ask whether it formed part of "Colonial Military Lands" surrendered by the War Department to the Colonial Government and subsequently sold by that Government.
My Lords would be much obliged for a sketch shewing the position of the land in regard to the existing Dock, and the form of the proposed extension.
The Secretary to the Admiralty.
I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd) G.L. Ryder.
Works Loan 3367/96. 12 72733/96 2478 3205 sir,
Rece Rec 10 SEP JO
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