CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12] — Page 365

The price arrived at by the value, appeared very satisfactory, and painting this out to the Trust, they concurred and after some delay an agreement was forwarded by amended tender received dated 7th December 1864; which was forwarded by Major General Guy on the 11th December 1864 for transmission to the Secretary of State for War, who by letter dated 10 April 1866 requested further information which was replied to by letter of 2nd July 1866.

I must mention that The Colonial Surveyor, Gornal, was made aware of the proposal and the War Department was properly apprised. A request from him to be allowed to take some action has been replied to. On the 30th of July, I wrote to him telling him that such a proposal had been sent home, and that the earth from the causeway would be required for filling in.

Page 363

East side of Barrack wharf, I wrote to him on the 30th of July telling him that such proposal had been sent home, and that the earth from the causeway would be required for filling in. The construction of the pier would be detrimental to the Imperial interests in so much that it would induce the Chinese boatmen to round the pier head and ... Known to be a most lawless rendezvous, they are very lawless. The Government would be liable to have their property stolen.

As the War Department ... own or rent the whole of the water frontage, from the East ... to the Barrack wharf and all the property to the South of the Queens Road ... except the ... small plots...