WAR OFFICE
575
Government to such free sites.
This special agreement is
not however applicable to any of the transactions men-
tioned above.
It appears therefore to Mr. Brodrick that these
sites should have been provided free of cost by the
Colony under their general liability, and that any claim
on account of the Crown Rent should certainly lapse. If
this be agreed to, the Colonial Military Lands Account as
given above would be entirely cancelled. It may be
pointed out that it became necessary prior to the 31st
December last, to carry out a considerable number of
works services, not included in either of the schemes of
barrack or defence works drawn up in 1894 and 1897
respectively, towards which the Colony has contributed.
In refraining from raising any claim on account of the
cost of these against the Colony, Mr. Brodrick considers
that this Department has treated the Colony with reason-
able generosity, and he hopes that the present claim
raised by the Colony on account of land provided, will
not be pressed.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Ellwood Wilson,