bopy.
W.L.3319/04.
Hong Kong 8/187 (D.F.W.)
War Office, S.W.
69
30014
[R 26 AUG 04] London, S.W.
28th July 1904.
Sir,
With reference to your letter W.L./2372/1904 of the 13th instant, relative to the question raised as to the responsibility of keeping clear the Albany Nullah, Hong Kong, which passes through the War Department and Colonial Office properties and discharges into the sea in front of the Dockyard, I am commanded by the Army Council to acquaint you for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the view expressed in the fifth paragraph of Their Lordships' letter above quoted cannot be concurred in without further investigation.
2. I am to add that the Army Council has no objection to a conference of the representatives of the three Departments as suggested, but I am to state that as the matter is of a legal nature involving questions of the law concerning the rights of riparian owners, the Army Council thinks it would be preferable to refer it to the Attorney General of the Colony and is prepared to accept his opinion as final.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd) R.H. Brade.
The Secretary,
Admiralty,
S.W.