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thus stated its views would be glad if the Military Authorities would similarly place on record the reasons why they claim a "right of perpetual power over the whole of the land referred to as the Military Reserve.
His Excellency the General has already, however, been informed by letter #2136/6= of 10th November last that the question has been referred to the Secretary of State and at present no reply has been received.
So much as to the reply to the General on the question of Military Reserves. That was dealt with in his (M. Pollock's) letter of 31st July, 1896 which was forwarded to the Secretary of State in the Governor's despatch No. 229 of 29th September 1896 to the Secretary of State to which I understand no answer has yet been received.
The Governor's letter No. 136/6 of 10th November, 1896 informed the General that the question of the Military Reserve lands at Kowloon had been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
What somewhat puzzles me is the wording of Mr Chamberlain's despatch of 27th March, 1896 (C. O. D. A. = 64) for there states that:-
"The Secretary of State for War has instructed the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong, if he sees no objection to the transfer to arrange with the Colonial Authorities for handing over the portion of the War Department lands required, on the conditions laid down in my predecessor's Circular Despatch of 30th December, 1894. I have no objection to the terms proposed to be offered to the Dock Company as described in paragraph 7 of Mr Cooper's letter of 12th December 1895.
The instruction of the Secretary...