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Appendix.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference
TTTTICO. 882
Sir,
APPENDIX A.
29 & 30 Vict., c. 115, “An Act to provide for the Government of the Straits Settlements.”
APPENDIX B.
Mr. Meade to the Under-Secretary of State, India Office.
Downing Street, April 26, 1875.
In reply to your letter of the 18th December, respecting the proposal to refer to arbitration the claim of the Government of India for the value of certain armaments and stores at the Straits Settlements, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to inform you that, in his Lordship's opinion, the arbitration should be confined strictly to the liability of the Colony for the armaments and stores left by the Government of India at the time of the transfer, exclusive of those which have been taken over and paid for by the War Department on Imperial account.
The delay which has occurred in replying to your letter of the 13th December last, has been caused by the necessity of a reference to the War Office as to the value of the stores and armaments which has been variously estimated at different times.
Lard Kimberley would propose that each party should prepare a case to be handed to the Arbitrator and to be exchanged between the two parties; that a period should be fixed during which either party should be allowed subsequently to put in a supplementary case, and that the Arbitrator should then give his decision unless he should require further information, which he should be at liberty to call for.
Lord Kimberley is of opinion that the delay and expense which would necessarily attend the production of witnesses and the arguments of counsel should, if possible, be avoided.
Sir H. Ord will receive the necessary instructions in order that a case for the Colony may be prepared as fully as possible on the spot.
dzo.
I am, (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
~
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE 1 COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
Sir,
Mr. Merivale to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.
India Office, May 28, 1878.
I am directed by the Duke of Argyll to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo embodying, in reply to my communication of the 18th December, 1872, the views of the Earl of Kimberley with respect to the procedure connected with the arbitration agreed upon with regard to certain matters connected with the transfer in 1867 of the Straits Settlements to the Colonial Office.
From your present letter the Secretary of State in Council observes, that Lord Kimberley is of opinion that the arbitration should be confined to the military stores, armaments, &c., left by the Government of India at the date of the transfer, exclusive of those which have been taken over and paid for by the War Department on Imperial account.
Lord Kimberley also proposes that the case prepared on behalf of each Department shall be communicated to the other, that a period shall be fixed during which a supplementary case may be submitted by either Department; that the Arbitrator shall be at liberty, should he think fit, to call for additional information as he may require; and, that the delay and expense incidental to producing witnesses and the argument of Counsel, should, if possible, be avoided.
In reply, I am to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that his Grace in Council agrees to his Lordship's proposals, which have been duly communicated to Str Charles Jackson for bis information and guidance in the preparation of the India Office case.
I am, &c. (Signed) HERMAN MERIVALE.
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