CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9] — Page 620

red line on the accompanying tracing should be kept clear of

buildings for defensive purposes. To allow this land to be further occupied by buildings would undoubtedly be detrimental to

ula and the sea batteries thereon. The Marquis of Hartington accordingly desires me to request

the defence of the Kowloon Peninsula

that no long leases of this ground may be granted although the

houses already built might be allowed to remain." 613

In consequence of the above communication from the

War Office Lord Derby the Secretary of State for the Colonies sent a

despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong on the 24th. May 1883 (C.O.109

of 1883) in which the following passage occurs:-

"I approve of the proposal to grant leases for 75 years except

on the land indicated by blue and red dotted lines on the tracing

which accompanies the War Office letter of the 15th. instant.

Within this space the Garden Leases for 14 years should continue for houses already built, but no new houses should be erected, and before a renewal of the 14 years lease is given the matter should be referred home."

The next document of importance is a letter from Major

Davies, the Assistant Military Secretary, dated 22nd June 1887 (C.S.O.1450/87) which enclosed a memorandum from Colonel Storer 4 R.B. and

requested to be informed if the Major General is to understand that the

conditions and proposals therein referred to have the full assent of the

Colonial Government.

Colonel Storer states (inter alia) in his memorandum above

referred