CO129-304 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [1-4] — Page 639

ENCLOSURE

COPY..

Sir,

633

10003

Rongkong, 13th.; April, 1901.

In reply to Your. Excellency's letter of the 9th.; instant, marked 86/0,, I have the honour to state that the land in question was first applied for on the ground that it would be of real advantage to Pis Yajesty's: Navy, and the Chief Manager went so far as to submit a plan showing that the new Dock would be able to take. H. M. S. "The Victorious",

1

I therefore recommended the transfer sole-

ly on the above grounds, viz:- the advantage to the Navy.

The War Office necessarily consulted the Admiralty on the subject, and recommended the Treasury to approve of the transfer on the terms proposed. I have therefore not the power, even had I the inclination to waive the conditions formally submitted.

8.. 8...

Sir Henry Blake, 3.C.M.G..

Ac..'

I have etc.,'

(sa.) W.. J. Gascoigne,

Major-General,

Commanding in China and Hongkong.

Ac...

to.'