replying to the letter prae the
War office
Km 914
I should be inclined to accept the W.O. vie
cow the lands.
...
the clearance rights partion had been permanently vested in held
then rights
was
The War
Lipt. but as I understand the reservation
monly temporary and provisional pending the decision as & Min scheme of defence upon wheel would depend
tein whether then lands would h reprise is to kept per from hilding
decision has her delayed for
delaged for à. Considnatte
time but the delay does act affect the forendfle and it connct he admitted that & the Casau with rawal of the temperay restriction now that it has been determined to tunnus Entitles the War tirpartment to hear it healed
Colonial Military Lands.
forting
in that sense.
EW 10 Mr
Remind W.O. asking for each reply 2.7.
Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to--
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
and the following number quoted.
6740
War Office,
London, S.W.
Tise "Works."
London, S. W.,
Hong Kong 2
3242 96
sir,
31st March, 1897.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th November
last No. 22486/96, enclosing copy of a dispatch, and its
enclosures from the Governor of Hong Kong, on the subject of
lands at Kowloon over which the War Office exercises certain
rights for defence purposes.
In reply I am to inform you that Lord Lansdowne hes
no wish to dispute that there is a substantial difference
between Colonial Military Lands, of which the War Office
enjoys full use, and lands over which, while remaining in the
possession of the Colony or its tenants, the Wer Office only
enjoys restrictive powers, as against the erection of
buildings &c., With regard to lands of the latter class, he
is quite prepared to admit that the War Office has no claim,
To the Under Secretary of State,
For the Colonies.