CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4] — Page 371

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estimate or the value of the public offices of the Colonel in Command, the First and Second Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants, the forts, the parade ground and guard houses,&. taken possession of in Kowloong last year, be made and their value paid over to meet the cost of erecting new offices in Ta Peng. If making an estimate and paying compensation is not consented to, then it would be considered a favour if we were permitted to pull down the buildings ourselves and convey the bricks, tiles, wood, stone, &. to Ta Peng, there to erect Yamens and guard-houses for the convenience of tran- sacting public business. That this is in accordance with international law cannot be disputed. "The Admiral adds that, having received the above, it is his duty to forward a it

to me for my consideration. All the buildings of the Civil

and Military Officials and the Customs station within the limits of the territory leased at Kowloping ought to be returned to the Chinese Government either by paying them

their estimated value, or we should be allowed to pull them down and take away the material. Either of these courses

would do..

I have the honour to request that you will

communicate the foregoing to His Excellency the Governor

of HongKong that satisfactory action may be taken. I trust

that a reply to this despatch will be sent to me.

(Seal of Viceroy.)

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