( 13 )
Appendix B.
627
No. 490.
SIR,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 27th March, 1896.
I am directed to forward the enclosed notice prepared by the Director of Public Works, inviting competitive designs for the proposed New Government Offices, and to request that the Committee will be so good as to consider the conditions of competition and report whether they approve of them, and also to state in what manner they deem it desirable to provide for the estimated cost of the construction of the New Offices.
With regard to the question of premia, His Excellency the Governor approves of the three premia suggested by Mr. CHATER at the meeting of the Committee on the 24th September, viz.:-
$2,000 for the best design.
$1,000 for the second best design.
$500 for the third best design.
His Excellency will be glad to know whether the Committee recommend that the competition should be confined to this Colony or made open to any person who may wish to compete.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Chairman,
SIR,
GOVERNMENT OFFICES COMMITTEE,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
HONGKONG, 15th April, 1896.
In reply to your letter No. 940 of the 27th ultimo I am directed to inform you that the particulars and conditions subject to which it is proposed to invite competitive designs for the New Government Offices were duly considered at a meeting of the New Government Offices Committee held on the 10th instant. Members present except the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer.
All
The Committee unanimously agreed to recominend the adoption of the parti- culars and conditions as amended in copy enclosed, amendments shown in red.
The Committee further considered if any exceptional steps should be taken to meet the cost of the proposed project, and in view of the letter addressed to the Chairman by the Colonial Treasurer, copy attached, the Members were unani- mously of opinion that no exceptional steps appear necessary at present.
In reply to the concluding paragraph of your letter under acknowledgment the Committee are of opinion that the date fixed for closing the competition will admit of residents in Singapore and Shanghai submitting designs, and the Members do not consider it desirable to extend the competition beyond these limits.
I am to add that the Committee recommend that the notice inviting designs should be inserted in the Singapore and Shanghai papers.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
F. J. BADELEY,
Secretary.