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Resolution 4.-In consideration of the fact that the lots will be artificially reclaimed from the sea at great cost, His Excellency is disposed to relax the rules which would apply to lots situated on dry land, and will therefore consent to back-yards somewhat less than 15 feet in width. In this connexion the following scale is prescribed, and I am to add that no proposition to still further reduce the widths of back-yards will be entertained :-
Houses of a depth of 50 feet or
less to have 10-foot yards.
Do.
do.
from 50 to
60 feet
do. 11-foot do.
Do.
do.
from 60 to
70 feet
do.
12-foot do.
Do.
do.
from 70 to
80 feet
do.
13-foot do.
Do.
do.
from 80 to
90 feet
do.
14-foot do.
Do.
do.
from 90 to 100 feet
do.
15-foot do.
Resolution 8.-Without at all assenting to the principle that marine lot- owners have an à priori right to the foreshore in front of their lots, such as would make it obviously fair that each should contribute to the whole reclamation only that part of the cost which had been incurred in respect of the portion allotted to him, the Governor is nevertheless disposed to think that there are considerations partly in connection with the cost to be incurred which appear to point to the justice of lower payment per area in some cases than others, and for that reason is willing to assent to the proposal contained in this Resolution; and if the lot- owners are willing to defray the cost, His Excellency will cause a detailed survey of the sea-bed to be prepared.
In conclusion, I am to state that it will not be possible to acquiesce in the demands contained in the rest of the Resolutions, and that the questions relating to the division of the lands and to the shape of the terminus at West Point, as well as the other points raised by your European correspondents in the Enclosures which you forward, may, with more advantage, be considered after the completion of the detailed surveys, when it will be possible to determine the position of the sea-wall with greater accuracy. But, whatever may be the position of the proposed new sea-wall, I am to mention that the extension of the cross Streets must be on the same centre line as the present cross Streets, of which they will be only a continuation, and that the sea-frontage between two cross Streets will, in every case, be equitably divided between lot-owners in proportion to their present frontage.
I have, &c..
FREDERICK STEWART,
Colonial Secretary.
The Honourable C. P. CHATER.
(7.).
(Mr. Chater to Colonial Secretary.)
HONGKONG, 22nd November, 1887.
SIR,
With reference to the last paragraph of your letter to me of the 18th instant where you state that the extension of the cross streets in the proposed new Recla- mation must be on the same centre line as the present cross streets, I would be obliged by your informing me whether it is meant that the extensions of these cross streets shall be a continuation in the same straight line of the present streets or whether you adhere to the original plan and make these extensions at right angles to the line of the proposed sea-wall. The passage in your letter which I refer to may have either meaning and I therefore would be obliged by your eluci- dating this point for the information of the marine lot-owners.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Colonial Secretary.
C. P. CHATER.