CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5] — Page 288

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
Series Prev Next

Enclosure 2.

T

286

Blake's Despatch No. 298 of the 18th of January, 1903, I am strongly of opinion that the terms upon which the user of the new Rifle Ranges should be given to the Military Authorities are preferable to the terms mentioned in your Despatch under acknowledgment.

I am well aware that the Military Authorities are very anxious to obtain this land permanently as Military land. There is serious objection therefore to the term "given in exchange". I also see objection to the loose term 'proper facilities'.

Last year when the Military Authorities were asked to submit an estimate of the cost of the construction of the butts at the new Ranges, they submitted an estimate of $25,000. I attach copy of the correspondence on the subject.

I submit that the arrangement made on the spot regarding the Ranges is the best in the interests of the Colony, which will demand in future years that these Ranges be closed and others provided. The Colonial Government has already undertaken to provide them in such case, which is all that can be expected of it. The removal will be much more easily effected if the local arrangement is allowed to stand, and the Colonial Government cannot undertake to provide more by way of Ranges than a safe area to shoot over with butts, firing points, and means of access; that is all that the existing Ranges consist of.

10.

I am wholly at a loss to understand why the Colonial Government should give up the Crown Land at Stonecutters for no consideration whatever. In fact, it is a breach

Edit History

2026-06-01 16:19:35 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
Enclosure 2. T 286 Blake's Despatch No. 298 of the 18th of January, 1903, I am strongly of opinion that the terms upon which the user of the new Rifle Ranges should be given to the Military Authorities are preferable to the terms mentioned in your Despatch under acknowledgment. I am well aware that the Military Authorities are very anxious to obtain this land permanently as Military land. There is serious objection therefore to the term "given in exchange". I also see objection to the loose term 'proper facilities'. Last year when the Military Authorities were asked to submit an estimate of the cost of the construction of the butts at the new Ranges, they submitted an estimate of $25,000. I attach copy of the correspondence on the subject. I submit that the arrangement made on the spot regarding the Ranges is the best in the interests of the Colony, which will demand in future years that these Ranges be closed and others provided. The Colonial Government has already undertaken to provide them in such case, which is all that can be expected of it. The removal will be much more easily effected if the local arrangement is allowed to stand, and the Colonial Government cannot undertake to provide more by way of Ranges than a safe area to shoot over with butts, firing points, and means of access; that is all that the existing Ranges consist of. 10. I am wholly at a loss to understand why the Colonial Government should give up the Crown Land at Stonecutters for no consideration whatever. In fact, it is a breach
Baseline (Original)
Enclosure 2. T 286 Blake's Despatch No. 298 of the 18th. of January, 1903, I am strongly of opinion that the terms upon which the user of the new Rifle Ranges should be given to the Military Authorities are preferable to the terms mentioned in your Despatch under acknowledgment. I am well aware that the Military Authoriti- es are very anxious to obtain this land permanently as Military land. There is serious objection therefore to the term "given in exchange". I also see objection to the loose term 'proper facilities". Last year when the Military Authorities were asked to submit an estimate of the cost of the construc- tion of the butts at the new Ranges, they submitted an estimate of $25,000. I attach copy of the correspondence on the subject. I submit that the arrangement made on the spot regarding the Ranges is the best in the interests of the Colony, which will demand in future years that these Ranges be closed and others provided. The Colonial Government has already undertaken to provide them in such case, which is all that can be expected of it. The removal will be much more easily effected if the local arrangement is allowed to stand, and the Colonial Goverment cannot undertake to provide more by way of Ranges than a safe area to shoot over with butts firing points and means of access; that is all that the existing Ranges consist of. 10. I am wholly at a loss to understand why the Colonial Government should give up the Crown Land at Stonecutters for no consideration whatever. In fact it is a breach
2026-06-01 16:19:35 · Baseline
View content

Enclosure 2.

T

286

Blake's Despatch No. 298 of the 18th. of January, 1903, I am

strongly of opinion that the terms upon which the user of the

new Rifle Ranges should be given to the Military Authorities

are preferable to the terms mentioned in your Despatch under

acknowledgment.

I am well aware that the Military Authoriti-

es are very anxious to obtain this land permanently as Military

land. There is serious objection therefore to the term

"given

in exchange". I also see objection to the loose term 'proper

facilities".

Last year when the Military Authorities

were asked to submit an estimate of the cost of the construc-

tion of the butts at the new Ranges, they submitted an estimate

of $25,000. I attach copy of the correspondence on the subject.

I submit that the arrangement made on the

spot regarding the Ranges is the best in the interests of the

Colony, which will demand in future years that these Ranges

be closed and others provided. The Colonial Government has

already undertaken to provide them in such case, which is all

that can be expected of it. The removal will be much more easily

effected if the local arrangement is allowed to stand, and

the Colonial Goverment cannot undertake to provide more by

way of Ranges than a safe area to shoot over with butts firing

points and means of access; that is all that the existing

Ranges consist of.

10.

I am wholly at a loss to understand why

the Colonial Government should give up the Crown Land at

Stonecutters for no consideration whatever. In fact it is a

breach

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.