CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12] — Page 191

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COP Y.

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Enclosure No. 2 to Despatch No, kjer

Sir,

October, 1902.

of the

C. O,

46694

189

Royal Engineer Office, Hongkong, 3th. October, 1909.

teful part of

With reference to your letter No. 3061, dated 22nd. September, 1903, proposing to remove the Colonial Magazine from Stonecutter's Island on condition that the War Department pay half the expenses viz:- $33,000, I have the honour to state that I have consulted with the Officer Commanding Royal Artil- lery and the Officer in charge of Submarine Mining who both have establishments on the Island and they both agree that the in- troduction of a population of prison officials and employees, will not only be detrimental to discipline, but will involve extra precautions for the safety of the aumerous detached works, all of which, contain valuable instruments and appliances which cannot be replaced locally.

2.

I cannot therefore recommend the War Depart- ment contributing to the expense of moving the Magazine unless the Convict Prison be located elsewhere than on Stonecutter's

Island.

3.

The Officer Commanling Royal Artillery points out that as Green Island is in the area of fire of the Teatern Defences it would certainly be hit by ricochets in the event of an attack. This should be borne in mind in the construction or aiting of the Magazine so as to make it secure.

I have etc., (Sa.) D. P. Brown,

Colonel,

Commanding Royal Engineer in China.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Hongkong.