CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 286

1897

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6. The question of the Victoria Recreation Club

which serves a very useful purpose for gymnastic and rowing

exercises, and which is largely used by the gun-room officers

of Her Majesty's Ships is one that merits consideration. In

his letter dated the 15th. June, 1897, and addressed to Sir W.

Robinson, Commodore Holland submitted a scheme whereby the

westernmost reclamation of the Naval Yard extension was to he

devoted to the use of the Victoria Recreation Club under a

form of lease and of a new Seamen's Club, whereas it now ap-

pears that such reclamation when completed will be used en-

tirely for Admiralty purposes to the exclusion of both the

above mentioned institutions.

7. The legal objection involved has been sug-

gested to me by the Acting Attorney General, and I put it be-

fore you because I consider that the rights of the Colonial

Government to the foreshore and the land under the sea should

not be entirely ignored by the Admiralty,

8. I observe from paragraph 4 of Sir Evan Mac.

Gregor's letter to the Under Secretary of State for the Colo-

nies dated 19th. October, 1898, a copy of which accompanied your

despatch under reference, that before any extension is made

to the westward abutting on Murray Pier, a further reference

will be made to the Colonial Office, and I have therefore to

request that when such further reference is made, the points

which I have detailed above may be fully considered, with a

view to arrangements being made which will be satisfactory to

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both