ENCLOSURE
COPY..
Sir,
633
10003
Rongkong, 13th.; April, 1901.
In reply to Your. Excellency's letter of the 9th.; instant, marked 86/0,, I have the honour to state that the land in question was first applied for on the ground that it would be of real advantage to Pis Yajesty's: Navy, and the Chief Manager went so far as to submit a plan showing that the new Dock would be able to take. H. M. S. "The Victorious",
1
I therefore recommended the transfer sole-
ly on the above grounds, viz:- the advantage to the Navy.
The War Office necessarily consulted the Admiralty on the subject, and recommended the Treasury to approve of the transfer on the terms proposed. I have therefore not the power, even had I the inclination to waive the conditions formally submitted.
8.. 8...
Sir Henry Blake, 3.C.M.G..
Ac..'
I have etc.,'
(sa.) W.. J. Gascoigne,
Major-General,
Commanding in China and Hongkong.
Ac...
to.'