No. 457.
Hongkong.
Sir,
CO 42641
Government House, Hongkong, 18th November, 1904.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 262 dated the 1st September, 1904, transmitting copies of further correspondence with the Admiralty with regard to the responsibility of keeping clear the Albany Hull at Hongkong and stating that you saw no objection to the matter being referred to Sir Henry Berkeley for his decision.
In reply, I enclose herewith a copy of a minute dated the 8th October in which I endeavoured to state impartially the cases of the Admiralty, War Office, and Colonial Government, and a copy of a minute of today's date in which an opinion on them is given by Mr. B. H. Sharp, K.C., who is now Acting Attorney-General of the Colony.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
Matthew
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C.,
M.P.