321
1956
Admiralty,
th March 1903.
In any further communication on this subject, please quote
D.W. 1113
and address letter to
The Secretary,
Admiralty, Whitehall,
London, S.W.
Admy
ABBY'S
C
Sir,
With reference to your letter and enclosure of the 24th January (2431/1902-03), on the subject of the possibility of transferring the Naval Yard at Hong Kong to another site, I am desired by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to point out that the objections stated in paragraph (b) of Admiralty Letter W.L.3333/2966, of 17th October apply equally to any proposal that their Lordships should abandon the works now in progress, and should purchase another site.
2. Their Lordships are fully aware of the congestion both ashore and afloat which now exists at Hong Kong, and Sir Henry Blake's letter clearly shows how great is the inconvenience thus caused to commercial interests.
3. Their Lordships cannot however, admit that Sir Henry Blake is the best judge of Naval requirements on the Station, and although it would no doubt be an advantage if more room were available for expansion, I am to point out that, as the attached lithographed sketch shows, the area of the Naval Yard when completed will be 394 acres, and there is space for the construction of another Dock of the largest size should this be found necessary at some future date.
4. There is, therefore, no necessity from a Naval point of view for any change of site, and the proposal made in Sir Henry Blake's letter can only be dealt with as if it were made in the interest and on behalf of the Commercial and Colonial community at Hong Kong.
5.
LACOLONIAL OFFICE.
....