MY LORD,
(2.)
Governor Sir George Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Earl of Derby.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 26th November, 1883.
In continuation of my despatch of the 25th August ultimo, respecting the proposed junction of the Eastern and Western Prayas in the City of Victoria, Hongkong, I have now the honour to transmit further papers, showing the new claims advanced by the Naval and Military Departments. An apparently unavoidable delay has taken place in the preparation of some of these documents.
2. From the enclosed letter from Vice-Admiral WILLES, C.B., it will be seen that he claims, among other things, that the present Artillery Barracks should be ceded by the Military to the Naval Department. To such cession it will be seen that the Military Authories strongly object.
3. The new claims of the Military Department are shown in the annexed letter, with enclosures, from Major-General SARGENT, C.B., transmitting a copy of his Report to the Secretary of State for War.
paragraph 7.
4. I transmit herewith a further Report from the Surveyor General, showing that the new claims now advanced would entail an expenditure of not less than £19,000 in addition to the sum of £45,000 required for the completion of the work as originally proposed and adopted by the Colonial Legislature. The total cost would therefore be £64,000. Of course this expenditure would be beyond the means of the Colonial Government if unassisted by funds from the Naval and Military Departments, or by an equitable remission of a portion of the Military contribution paid by the Colony to the Imperial Government. It has been suggested here, as Despatch No. 201 of 1883, I have already reported, that such remission would be justified by the large accession of land and other benefits which would accrue to the Imperial Departments from the carrying out of the proposed plan. The value of the land alone is estimated at not less than £160,000 in all. It is situated on the sea frontage in the best part of the city. It will be recollected, moreover, that this plan is strongly recommended by Mr. CHADWICK on sanitary grounds, and that it affects the quarter of this city where the barracks of the Garrison and the other Naval and Military establishments are placed. It is therefore much more necessary for the health of the Naval and Military than for that of the Civil portion of this community. It has been estimated that every soldier who dies at Hongkong has cost the British tax-payer not less than £200. Consequently, it is evident that any moderate sum expended in carrying out Mr. CHADWICK'S sanitary arrangements would soon be recouped.
5. I trust that Your Lordship will cause this question, which is of great and pressing importance on Imperial as well as on Colonial grounds, to be again recommended to the early and favourable consideration of the Admiralty and of the
paragraphs 8 & 12. ·
War Office. It is presumed that (as was remarked before) those Departments Despatch No. 201 of 1888. will not withdraw the general consent which they gave in 1875.
I have, &c.,
G. F. BOWEN.
The Right Honourable
THE EARL OF DERBY,
&c.,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,
&c.,
&c.
N.B. As yet no Official reply has been received from the Imperial Government to the above despatches, as negotiations are proceeding with the War Office and Admiralty. The reply will be laid before the Council, when received. Meanwhile, it is considered unnecessary to print the enclosures referted to above, as they are liable to
modification by the Imperial Authorities.
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