The question of the rectification of the frontiers of this Colony has, I believe, been engaging the attention of the Imperial Government latterly, forcible representations on the subject having gone home last year from the Civil, Naval, and Military Authorities. Two letters from Mr. Chater, senior unofficial member of Council, which were addressed to the Governor last summer, on this subject, have just found publication, They eet out the situation here mn the point of view of the defence of the port, and conclusively show the absolute necessity of extending the boundaries of Kowloon and of acquiring the islands to the south in order to render it defensible. I presume the Foreign Office are well fice are in possession of all information as tothe facts, and I am sure the War on the subjects, as our energetic General would take care of that. These'facts ought to suffice to induce Lord Salisbury to.insist upon the cession of the needful territory in reparation for the Kucheng massacre and the cession of the buffer State to France. They should also lead to the immediate reinforcement of the garrison by at least ce regiments of infantry, two batteries of Royal Artillery, four more companies of the Hongkong Royal Artillery, and two companies of Subniarine Miners, formed of Mal: lace of the Chinese corps now existing. The harbour defences should at the same time be augmented by a guardship (of the Nelson class) and several more torpedo boats. I would also advocate the formation of local militia and volunteer forces to which all the young men of the Colony would be expected to belong, and every inducement held out. The present corps are mere exotics which have no healthy existence,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.