Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to...
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
London, S.W.,
and the following number quoted.
Hong Kong 8/149
(I.G.F.1.)
War Office,
5228
431
London, S.W.1.
6th February 1903.
Sir,
With reference to your letter 51648/1902 of the 22nd ultimo, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to point out for the information of Mr Secretary Chamberlain that, as mentioned in paragraph 2 of that letter, it is admitted that the use by the Navy, the Police Force and the Rifle Association of the land at Kowloon for a rifle range is subject to the right of the Military Authorities to use the land for Military exercises.
2. It follows therefore that, even if the range were given up by the Navy &c., the land would still be subject to this right of Military user, and in these circumstances it does not appear to Mr. Brodrick that there is any good ground for regarding this land as excluded from the category of military reserve.
3. It will be remembered that at the Inter-departmental Conference of the 29th April last it was admitted by the Colonial Office (see para. 2(c) of the report of the Conference) that the War Department had rights of military reserve over all the land now occupied...
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.