Pol. External Dept 16640/48 'Transfer of the Church of the Epiphany at Bushire' [‎12r] (23/62)

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>-enr Wlnttr,
I sent Jen^ln* s^cie tins ago regies jf correaj'ondenoe I was
Hrrlaf. -lx t3« X*e Fou^etel mbmit th# ^hiareh f >pi| h'uiy at Buihire.
You way renrstfer thet this Ohcroh Is a small building enlttdded in the
t own Besidenoy. It was built by private suhscr ption on Government
land. It is rr>t theref re, ours to dispose of although the site any be
the property of the Covernment of Indie; I do not Inane if His Majesty’s
CoTemnient eoixtriNited to thr eo«t of it In sn; wry* Indeed it appears
frm the table of particulars of ^overnrent of India property in i eraia
which wmm originally sent to us froa India over a year ago that the l ud
on which the Town Reside no; la built la held on a lease of Jkupees 100 a
nonth: I do not fcnor whether this hns ever been cleared up*
I recently s^w t w c Bishop in Iran who oalled about vbe futux-e
of this small church* The Bishc? was surprised that we had suggested that
the Church Mission Society should buy the ; roy*rty as he understood that
in India and i-alriatan the Govemcwntr- have hnadat 'ver to the Charoh, free
of charge, thoee buiXdiAga used there as churches and vicarages* Me as. a
that His Majesty's Government should d the sene and I etoclore a copy of
his confirmatory letter and enclosures in whirl) he rm co thin , ro osal*
You will see that in addition to the church he h pec to get a portion of
the surrounding building* as well*
Sir J* Le Rottf ; etel stressed when he was hor* that Uc regarded
it as iaf)ortaiit for politieal reasons tb^t t v *e Chur oh at Bus hire should
not be ds-consecr^ted and disposed of with the rest of the property. :: ®
support that view; but before deciding whether w« car* Lhia property
over as gift we need I think t Vnow -
J* K* I inter, ^sq* 9
Ministry of oorka*