33562/99
It is not recommended that liability to provide lands for military purposes should be admitted by the colony.
(We used similar argument in writing to the War Office as to a site at Belcher's Bay of West-point, and we might refer to that letter in writing to War Office as above)
eu3.28/5/01
It is requested that in any further communication on this subject, the following Number may be quoted; and the Letter addressed to--
C
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
"Works."
London, S.W.
Hong Kong &c.
(I.G.F.1.)
Copy
560
0.0.
WAR OFFICE, LONDON, S.W.
23rd August, 1901.
Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 19th June 1901, (19845/1901), on the subject of land required for military purposes in the neighbourhood of Devil's Peak, Hong Kong: I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to state, for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, that it is considered that the arrangement which came into force on 1st January last, by which the Colony became exempted from the liability to provide land for military requirements on paying an increased annual military contribution, cannot be held to apply to the sites required for the batteries, catchment area and communications in connection therewith at Devil's Peak, as the works in question were commenced and the necessity for providing the sites was pointed out some considerable time before the arrangement came into force.
Mr. Brodrick therefore trusts that in this case Mr. Chamberlain will agree that any Crown land comprised within the areas locally selected and defined shall be provided without cost to this Department.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.