Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
C. Q.
21135
RECO
Ref 15 JUN 04
334
London, S. W.,
and the following number quoted.
Hong Kong 8/173. (I.G.F.1.)
War Office,
2 Plans Copy letter.
Sir,
London, S.W. 13th June, 1904.
I am commanded by the Army Council to acquaint you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Lyttelton, that the cantonnments and the new batteries at Sywan Hill, Hong Kong, are approaching completion, and that in order to prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access to the vicinity of the works it is necessary that the boundaries of the land in the exclusive occupation of this Department should be extended. The additional area is shown in the accompanying plan and measures about 143 acres.
2. It is understood that the Colonial Government has claimed that the value of the additional area shall be credited to the Colony at the rate of a premium of 3 cents per square foot plus a Crown rent of $100 per acre capitalized at 25 years' purchase; but inasmuch as the whole of this land is already included in the Military Reserve at Sywan Peninsula (which reserve was arranged for in 1887, as will be seen from the accompanying copy of a letter addressed by the Acting
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.