J
:"
198.
sir,
Treasury Chambers.
5602 511
9 WAR 98
17th February 1899.
The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury have had before Them your letter of the 5th
instant and ita enclosures respecting the method of
executing the Works at Hong Kong of which the cost is
divisible between the United Kingdom and the Colony..
My Lords agree with the Marquess of Lansdowne
that, for the sake of economy in construction and of
convenience to Her Majesty's Troops, it is of importance
that the Barracks in question should be erected with all single practicable despatch, and that it is a mistake to single
out particular buildings, representing as nearly as may
be one third in cost of the whole, and leave them to be
erected by the Colony as it can find the money.
As My Lords understand the case, the Colony
will not be able to provide its full share within a less
period than 10 years from 1895-6 whilst the whole of the
Buildings might be erected with advantage in half that
time.
Financial Secretary.
War Office.
Under these circumstances My Lords consider
thaty