War Office,
London, S.W.
1st August, 1899.
War Office to Crown Agents.
Gentlemen,
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ult:, Req: 31,304, regarding the conversion to .303 calibre, of the .45 in. Maxims in possession of the Hong Kong Volunteers,
In reply, I am to inform you that the above conversion could not be carried out in the local ordnance workshops at Hong Kong, but the work could be undertaken in the Ordnance Factories at Enfield, if desired, at an estimated cost of £27 (twenty-seven pounds) per gun. This sum is inclusive of the usual necessary repairs required.
I am,
&c. &c.
(Sa) J. H. Bittiston.
for Director General of Ordnance.