Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 138

135

No. 15.

HONGKONG.

DESPATCH RESPECTING THE NEW HEAVY GUNS FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES.

Presented to the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering

the Government,

HONGKONG,

No. 16.

SIR,

DOWNING STREET,

23rd January, 1886.

I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you, for your informa- tion, in answer to Sir G. BowEN'S Despatch No. 415, of the 2nd of November, the document specified in the annexed Schedule.

The Officer Administering the Government of

DATE.

HONGKONG.

I have, &c.,

ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.

DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT.

20th January, 1886.

Copy of Letter from the War Office as to the date at which the heavy Guus

will be delivered.

Copy. HONGKONG, 5/2302.

SIR,

The War Office to the Colonial Office.

WAR OFFICE,

20th January, 1886.

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 5th instant, forwarding copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hongkong regarding the progress of the new Defence Works of that Colony, and making inquiry as to the probable date of delivery of the new heavy guns.

In reply I am to acquaint you, for the information of Colonel STANLEY, that Mr. Secretary SMITH hopes that the greater part of the armament will be consigned to Hongkong during the current year.

The mountings of the Breech-loading Guns are of new pattern, and require to be specially tested, and this, of course, to some extent retards supply.

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office, S.W.

I am, &c.,

GUY C. DAWNAY.