CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 509

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arrangement which would be very advantageous as regards

the progress of the works, and would probably lead to

a smaller total expenditure than if the work were allowed

to go on slowly for the period of ten years as originally

settled. The annual Colonial contribution might be

$45,000 which is about one tenth of their share of the

estimated expenditure.

9. With reference to the Colonial Office letter

of the 13th January last, 284/98, I am to inform you that

the only item of the original list of Services, to be

executed jointly by the War Department and the Colony,

which will be met by the purchase of the Mount Austin

Hotel, is the item for Barracks for 1 Company Asiatic

Artillery estimated to cost £10,000 the remainder of the

cost of the Hotel will be met partly out of "Military

Works Loan" funds and partly by an arrangement with the

Admiralty under which the latter will take over North

Barracks and some other Buildings for the extension

of the Naval Dockyard.

10. I am to add that the Secretary of State for

War would be obliged if the proposal could receive very

early consideration as it is desirable that the provision

of Barracks at Hong Kong should be pressed on as rapidly

as possible.

I am,

:

sir,

Your obedient Servant,