Sir,
Commander-in-Chief,
China Station, 26th February, 1904.
With reference to our conference of the 25th January on the subject of altering the boundaries of the Man-of-War Anchorage, and to Your Excellency's letter of the 23rd February, 10191/1904 - C.G.D., I have the honour to inform you that, having fully considered the matter, and being desirous of meeting as far as possible the wishes of the Colonial Government, I am submitting to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the following proposals:
2.
The principal moorings in the Man-of-War Anchorage have been recently relaid at a considerable expenditure of time, labour, and money. It is practically certain that some time in advance of the completion of the Admiralty dry dock about 18 months hence a further relaying will be necessary: also the composition of the fleet may alter.
3.
This being so, it would be undesirable for the present to incur further expenditure on an additional relaying of the moorings.
4.
I therefore propose that the case be allowed to remain as it is until the completion of the dry dock is nearer at hand, when the proposals of the Colonial Government, which in my opinion are reasonable, might be again brought forward.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) Cyprian A. G. Bridge,
Admiral.
His Excellency
The Officer Administering the Government,
Hongkong.