(11)
Mr. CHATER invites these communications that, in his capacity as intermediary between the Government and the Lot-holders, and to enable him the better to serve both parties, he may have an opportunity before the Mecting on the 17th September, of submitting any proposed alterations or modifications to the Govern ment, and be in a better position at the Meeting to answer questions, and discuss the amendments that may be proposed.
Owners of Marine Lots and Attorneys or Agents of Owners who have not received the Circular letter and copy of the correspondence above referred to are earnestly requested to apply at once to Mr. C. P. CHATER, stating the numbers of the lots for which they are agents, when copies will be forwarded without delay.
Hongkong, 3rd September, 1887.
(5.)
(Mr. Chater to Colonial Secretary.)
HONGKONG, 6th October, 1887.
SIR,
With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the Praya Re- clamation Project and in conformity with His Excellency the Acting Governor's desire that I should act in the capacity of intermediary or negociator between the Government and the Marine Lot-owners, I have the honour to inform you that I duly invited the Marine Lot-holders' views and opinions on the Government con- ditions, and that the only questions and objections that have so far reached me from them are contained in the documents which I now beg to forward for the information of the Government, and which are marked respectively A, B, C, D, E, and F.
By the enclosure marked A you will see that the Chinese portion of the Marine Lot-owners have held a meeting to consider the Government conditions and that they have passed a series of Resolutions embodying the whole of their objections.
To facilitate matters between all parties I venture to submit the following observations on the points raised in enclosure A in the belief that iny suggestions, if adopted. will secure the general adherence of the Lot-owners to the Project without after all entailing on the Government any very substantial sacrifice.
Resolution 1.-I would recommend that this be granted.
Resolution 2.-If the Government is not prepared to waive the preliminary deposit of 25 per cent that at all events the contractors first calls for payment on account of work exccuted be met from the preliminary deposits until the latter are exhausted, when calls can be made on the Lot-owners direct for the balances re- quired. The Lot-owners to receive 10 days' notice in the Government Gazette of each intended call.
Resolution 3.-The Marine Lot-owners appear not to have any objection to the inner road being of the width of 75 feet as they realize the necessity of having a broad street where it is proposed to have the tram-roads laid down, but I think it would be advisable if the Government modify their ideas about the width of the outer road so as to meet the views of the Marine Lot-owners, if not entirely, at least by a compromise, which certainly might be done without detracting from the beauty of the city, the value of the ground being naturally a matter of grave importance to the owners.
Resolution 4.—I would venture to suggest to the Government that here again and for the same reason as specified above, the ideas of the Land-owners should be met, and I do not think it would be unreasonable having due regard to the laws of Sanitation, to enforce a back-yard of 10 feet in width where the houses do not exceed 60 feet in depth.