HER MAJESTY'S CONSULATE,
AMOY.
15th July, 1899.
531
Sir:-
I have the honour to enclose copy of a despatch I have addressed to the Colonial Government, Hongkong, on the subject of the fortification of this Port.
At present very limited powers of Municipal Government are exercised by the Road Committee, but owing to the influx of Chinese and the presence of the plague an extension of these powers is urgently needed for the protection and health of the community.
The Taot'ai recently promised to discuss this question with me in a favourable sense, but I fear the erection of a fort here would ruin the chances of obtaining a settlement, besides being generally objectionable. For instance, the erection of a fort would render the island in time of war liable to attack, from which it would probably otherwise be exempt,
O. Bax-Ironside, Esq.,
&.