18
53533
35
3.
3.
18
(iii) The War Department to undertake either to
maintain or to reprovision at its own charges any
essential rights-of-way now passing through the area
edged red.
(iv)
The War Department to undertake to conform in
respect of the drainage system of the Cantonment with
the drainage scheme adopted by the Colonial Government
for the district.
(v)
The War Department to undertake either to
maintain or reprovision at its own charges any
irrigation systems derived from streams originating in
or passing through the new Cantonment.
This scheme unfortunately involves the
sacrifice of a large portion of the new residential area which
formed the subject of Sir William Peel's despatch No.193 of 27th
March, 1935. As however the most exhaustive investigations have
failed to discover any alternative area for the permanent
accommodation of the increased garrison of the Colony, and the site
now selected is of considerably less value to the general development of the Colony than the site at Sham Shui Po which the War Department continues to occupy without payment of any kind, I
have caused an offer on the above terms to be made to the local
Military Authorities subject to your approval which I now have the
honour to request. I may add that the scheme was approved in
general terms by Sir William Peel before his departure.
4.
It is understood that the Colony's offer has
been transmitted to the War Department, and it is suggested with a view to saving time that if that department and yourself are prepared to approve it in principle, I might receive an intimation to that effect by telegram, final negotiations being left to be