CO129-083 - Public Offices - 1861 — Page 33

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or as some

located on the

naval dépôt like Gibraltar or malta that is wanted, but aw arrangement to give development to commerce and extension and advancement to the Colony. It cannot be overlooked that there

Cliner already are 7000,

say, Gooo

occupied by the troops this number will peninsula, and as soon as "be doubled. Some strong civil govemment must be established to Keep these people in broker, and this will cause considerable expence which can only be covered and the peninsula rendered self supporting by holding out inducements to merchants to settle there, which they will readily do if some tolerably favourable sites are left for their residences and some sea,

frontage for their stores and shops, but not without. If the proposals of the Commanding Officer of Engineers are to be acceded to, the Governor states that eligibile sites will be left for merchants and nove will go to

"the main objects

objects of H. M. Government

Fowloon, and thes will be defeated.

one

of

•

Admitting, however, fully the necessity for sufficiently and amply providing for the wants of the Military, the Governor offers to them a ipake of nearly

much of it on rising fav. 200 acres, much of it on, "ground, with the best affect (due South) so as to enable every Track and house to be so built as to catch the breezes in the hot

monson both from S. E. and St.; it forms a complete belt 500 yards wide across the peninsula, having two sea, frontages a lee for landing and embarking troops and stores in both mouscous, it is apart from the lobinere town, and has the best stream of water in the peninsula summing through it. As far -military

julge this site, coloured red on the plan, appears eligible that could be selected.

:

herson can

the most

so as to ensure

as a non-military

interests, the Alming, then, that with due regard to commercial

sufficiently provided for,

are lu

Navy,

ou

the west,

4

we are

free

to consider the requirements for Naval purposes. The site that- has been selected for

for the

+ face of the peninsula at D, is good as far as it goes ; but apparently a space of only 3

See Flaw

1

acres has been seemed (on which the coal store is building) having

a

a

AGET

- froulage of 150 yards by a depth inland of only go yards; detached site on the north spur of the high ground at g. has also been claimed for

an hospital (but disputed by the Military) the

additional sea frontage of

area of which

may

be 5 acres;

and

Quad

nothing

--

about 300 yards to the northward of the coal store for docks and other purposes is to be reserved but, is said as to its depth inland. There is, likewise, a space of 20 acres north of the propoud

as an alternative for the high

with the name

military cantorment, offered ground at 8.

Either there is something not fully explained or this appears a most improvident arrangement as far as the Navy is concerned. From the testimony of a all the officers I have consulted the least space that will be required for naval purposes is 25 acres. They all represent the present flot of te acres at ttonghong, dignified of a dockyard, as miserably inefficient and crampe Boats, anchors, chain cables, and all heavy stores might advan - Mageously be removed to Kowloon. Boat sheds, a cooperage, & are already much wanted, and as our commerce extends in China and consequently

ships of

war many be required, more space will be wanted. The loss from want of stour com in the lake war is said to have been excessive. Ground, too, for exercising the ships

mancuring

Crews

and field pieces is very

more

and

them with small arms.

desirable . If hereafter it should be found that we have not enough space and the ground has to be pur. - chased, at.

Chaud, it would be cut a greatly inauuhed price

account there. lu

or a tea

increand price. On no-s

- my opinion, should a less space than 25 acres, frontage of lose yards

400

- yards by an average depth inland of 500 -yards, coloured blue on the plan, be cercepted.

With respect to the height marked & which Admiral Sir James Hope,

Commander in Chief, long since selected as a site has been fully approved by the predifige Director General, fora for a Naval storfital, in carce such a "building were

build

necessary,

it should be retained at whatever cost. It is included in the belove

Bouncil Office

Fore

Offe

Have