CO129-242 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1889 [8-12] — Page 29

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C. O.

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EC

Enclosure 4

Governor Sir G. William Des Voeux, K. C. M.

andwear

Copy.

No.75

16 SEP 39,

to the Hon'ble Col: Commdg.

Government House,

Hongkong, 24th. July, 1889.

sir,

I have the honour to inform you that Commodore

Church, R. N., has recently placed in my hands his resigna-

tion of his seat on the Local Defence Committee.

I understand that this course has been adopted by him in compliance with the wishes of the Commander-in- Chief of the China Squadron, and in consequence of the exclusion of the Commodore, under War Office Regulations, from access to the Forts in the Colony.

As I cannot but regard the cessation of the co-operation of the Navy as fatal to the effective work- ing of the Defence Committee, I should be much obliged if you would have the goodness to inform me what are the War Office instructions, the enforcement of which appears to have induced the Naval Authorities to take a step, which in the interests of the Colony is to be regretted

I have &c.

(Signed) G. William Des Voeux,

The Honourable

The Colonel Commanding,

5c0.

&C.

&0.

Governor.