O O P Y, No. 2081.
а
C. O. 183
45694
th2 39 04.
Enclosure No. 2 to Despatch No. 473 of the D
Sir,
October, 1993.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 33nd. September, 1902.
With reference to His Excellency the Governor's letter No. 75/3 of the 20th. April, 1901, addressed to His Excel- lenoy the General Officer Commanding and to previous correspon- dence, 1 am directed to inform you that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has now suggested that the question of the removal of the Colonial Gunpowder Depot and Magazine from Stone- cutters' Island, might be made the subject of a compromise bet- ween the Yar Department and the Colonial Government by which the latter should bear half the cost of the proposal if the Imperial Government would pay the other half.
3.
Phis Government has had under consideration a scheme for removing the Depot and Magazine to Green Island in order to make room for the building of a Convict Prison on the site of the old Gaol at Stonecutters' Island.
Want of funds renders it unlikely that this scheme will be undertaken in bbe immediate future, but to prepare the way for it His Excellency the Governor is prepared to en- tertain the proposal that the removal of the Depot and Magazinə to 3raen Island should be effected on the condition indicated namely that the Imperial Government defray half the cost of the new Magazine and of a Pier to give access to it.
3.
Ibe estimated cost of these works on Green Island is $44,000 (31,500 for the Magazine and $13,500 for the Pier), but I am to all that it is impossible for the Colonial Government to undertake any part of the work next year owing to
lack of funds.
His Excellency the Governor would be glad to learn, however, whether the Officer Commanding the Troops is prepared to recommend to the Tar Department the adoption of the compromise suggested by Mr. Chamberlain leaving the works to be initiated in 1904,
The Deputy Assistant
Adjutant General. (A).
I have oto., (Sa.) P. 8. May,
Colonial Secretary.