CO129-555-3 Proposed transfer of lands near Kai Tak to the War Department 22-8-1935 - 16-1-1936 — Page 22

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Tel. No.-Whitehall 9400.

by further communication on this

't should be addressed to :-

The Under-Secretary of State,

The War Office,

and the following number quoted.

London, S.W.1,

119/Abd./2166. (Q.M.G.F.B.)

53654/35

NATIONAL

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26 ALLIUMC

THE WAR OFFICE,

LONDON, S.W.1.

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22 August, 1935.

2/ END

684625-31

Copees rega 54113/35 hul Laws

and

32014/35 mel Lands

Sierraferm

134/33

Aust.

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Athong (4)

HKG

Sir,

C. O, REGY

With reference to Colonial Office letter No. 84625/31, dated 22nd April 1932, on the subject of buildings erected at War Department expense on Colonial Military Lands, I am commanded by the Army Council to acquaint you that they again have the question under active consideration, and hope to be able at a comparatively early date to put proposals before Mr. Secretary MacDonald for the solution of this difficult problem.

The only cases known to the Council in which the problem has recently taken practical form are those of Line Barracks, Mauritius, and of certain properties in Sierra Leone, though it is of course possible that other cases may arise at any time if a change in the local military defence scheme enables the Council to surrender Colonial Military Lands on which buildings have been erected at the expense of Army Funds. A more important aspect of the same question arises, however, in connexion with military developments in the Far East. As Mr. MacDonald is aware, changes in the coast defence armament of Hong Kong are now taking place, requiring additions to the strength of the manning personnel moreover the Council have for some time been considering means whereby the occupation by two battalions of the temporary camp at Shamshuipo might be terminated, and a new › cantonment built to accommodate these battalions, a further

battalion to be transferred from Shanghai, and certain other personnel who are to be added to the strength of the military garrison.

The proposals now before the Council involve the building of a cantonment for two batteries of Heavy Artillery at Stanley Peninsula, and provision for the other arms concerned at Kau Lung Tsai. The burden on Army Funds

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

created/

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