( 41 )
(Pier Owners to Colonial Secretary.)
SIR,
HONGKONG, 17th July, 1888.
We have the honour to own receipt of your letter, No. 956, of the 14th instant, in which you inform us that His Excellency the Governor has promised to give that consideration to the question of our respective Wharves, now fronting the Praya-should their removal become necessary owing to the adoption of the con- templated reclamation scheme--which the importance of the case demands.
You desire to be informed as to the cost of our respective Wharves, which we have much pleasure in giving below. In connection therewith, we venture to remind His Excellency that the cost of our Wharves does not represent the loss we should sustain if it be decided to remove, and not reinstate them on completion of the Praya extension. The absence of these special Wharfage facilities would mean almost annihilation of our respective trades.
As to the cost of re-building these Wharves on completion of the new Sea Wall, it is not easy to furnish an estimate unless we are provided with details shewing the soundings, and nature of the bottom; but we think a fair estimate would be that they would cost double the amount of the present erections.
First cost of the following Wharves :--
Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steam-boat Company, Limited,...$20,000.00
Douglas Steam-ship Company, Limited,
China Navigation Company, Limited,
20,000.00
26,824.94
The present value of the respective Wharves, we consider, is not less than their first cost, for the stuctures have been, and are, thoroughly kept up, at a con- siderable annual outlay.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
THOS. ARNOLD,
Secretary,
Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steam-boat
Company, Limited.
p.p. DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co.,
The Honourable F. STEWART, M.A., LL.D.,
T. E. DAVIES,
General Managers,
Douglas Steam-ship Company. Limited.
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Agents,
China Navigation Company, Limited.
Colonial Secretary,