No.345.
Hongkong.
3601; 531
+
t
#19 OCT **
Government House,
Hongkong, 19th September, 1904.
Sir,
25014
Referring to your Despatch No.224 dated the 23rd July, 1904, transmitting for my consideration copies of correspondence with the Admiralty with regard to the incidence of the cost of clearing the Albany Nullah within the Naval Yard of the debris which blocked it after heavy rainfall on the 27th and 28th June of the year 1903, I have the honour to inform you that as regards this particular case it is not possible for this Government to admit any liability and that if in any future instance the blocking of the nullah on Admiralty land is directly attributable to any works carried out or action taken by the Colonial Government, that Government will not repudiate its liabilities due to such works or action.
In these circumstances it does not appear that any useful purpose would be served by the conference suggested in the Admiralty letter of the 13th July, 1904.
2.
In the particular case referred to in the correspondence the blocking of the nullah north of the Queen's Road, which it will be remembered was diverted, lengthened and arched over when taken over by the Naval Authorities for the reconstruction of the Naval Yard, was mainly caused
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, M.P., K.C.
800...
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