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13. The question of the removal of the Naval Yard from its present site is one of such great importance to the Colony as to justify, in our opinion, its in- curring the necessary expenditure to recoup the Admiralty for the money already spent upon the new works.

14. In conclusion we would therefore strongly urge that in the interests of the Colony a Royal Commission be appointed on which all the interests concerned be represented to report not only on matters now under consideration by the various Government Departments but also on the advisability of removing the Dock to another site.

And Your Petitioners will ever Pray, &c.

[Here follow signatures.]

No. 184.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 8th April, 1903.

SIR, I have the honour to forward a petition addressed to you by a Committee representing the entire Community of Hongkong.* I enclose the report of a deputa- tion that waited upon me on the subject by which you will see that I entirely agreed with the views of the deputation and undertook to commend the prayer of the petition to the favourable consideration of His Majesty's Government.

2. As will be observed from the terms of the petition, in the event of the decision of the Lords of the Admiralty to meet the wishes of this Colony a site can be offered on the island of Hongkong equally defensible, with ample room for expansion, and at which a Dock begun now would probably be finished at smaller expense and in less time than it will take to complete the Admiralty Dock now in process of contruction, while the cost of the transfer will be borne by the Colony.

3. Apart from the arguments for the change put forward by the petitioners, I venture to submit that the whole question of a Naval Dock at Hongkong is worthy of careful reconsideration by my Lords of the Admiralty. The Hongkong & Whampoa Company have at present five dry docks besides three slips. In one of these docks H.M.S. Powerful has been docked. The Company is prepared, if the Naval authorities desire it, to construct another dock capable of accommodat- ing the largest vessel afloat, they are prepared to supply the Dock with the latest improvements in machinery and to lay down a plant capable of dealing with any repairs that could be required for H. M. Ships and to give to the Naval authorities perpetual right of priority. Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE are also at present con- structing a dock of the largest size. I venture to say that with such docking facilities existing and prospective the repairs of His Majesty's Ships would be executed in an entirely satisfactory manner and at a very substantial saving to the Imperial Govern- ment. The Dock Company have a thoroughly efficient staff with the best appliances and there is constant work, while a Naval Dockyard must have an expensive establishment always at full strength while it is improbable that the work required for the Fleet on the China Station will keep the Dock fully occupied all the round. The annual expenditure involved is very considerable and I would urge upon the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the advisability of sending out a Commission to inquire on the spot into the important questions involved. There is in Hongkong capital and enterprize sufficient to carry out any scheme of docks that His Majesty's Government may decide to be necessary,

year

The Right Honourable

I have, etc.

JOHN CHAMBERLAIN,

H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,

&c.,

&c.,

* Not printed.

હેતા.

H. A. BLAKE, Governor.