CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 222

Copy.

No. 57/20/4330.

Gentlemen,

War Office to Crown Agents.

Pall Mall, S.W.

C. J.

27658

REC

&

REG? 24 AUG 00

215

9.15

21st August 1900.

Vols. 31304 aly 1900.

With reference to this office letter of the 9th ultimo No. 57/20/4330 relative to the despatch of 6. *303" Maxim guns etc for the Hong Kong Volunteers to replace 6. 45" guns sent home for conversion.

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you that in order to save time, it is proposed to issue at once to Hong Kong from store 6. -303" Maxim guns complete with spare parts etc, in anticipation of the receipt for conversion of the 6. 45" guns still with the Hong Kong Volunteers which will be taken over by the Imperial Government

As this transaction is larger than at first contem- plated and has assumed the form of a complete exchange of guns, it is now proposed to simplify the method of accounting by charging you the value of the .303" guns and spare parts etc. sent out and crediting you with the value of such parts of the .45" guns and spare parts, etc. brought home as are found serviceable and fit for conversion. That portion of

my previous letter relating to the method of accounting should be considered as cancelled,

I am therefore to ask you to be good enough to say

at your earliest convenience whether under the circumstances

you agree to this arrangement.

I am &c.,

Sd) F. B. Elmslie

for Director General of Ordnance.

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