[ XVI ]
(Minute by the Surveyor General.)
I should value the ground applied for at $10,000. It is not a suitable place for a hospital, as it immediately adjoins the night-soil depôt. A more healthy site might be found for the purpose further from the centre of the city and where land is not so valuable.
25th May, 1866.
(Minute by The Governor.)
W. WILSON.
Surveyor General.
Mr. MERCER,
I think I ought to reply that although I regard the proposed hospital as a great boon to the Chinese inhabitants and think the project very creditable to the petitioners, I cannot approve of the site which immediately adjoins the night-soil depôt. I also consider the land too valuable to permit of my giving it up for such purpose especially as I think the petitioners can find a more suitable suit.
26th May, 1866.
R. G. McD.
(Minute by the Acting Registrar General.)
The petitioners. have found another piece of ground permission to be allowed to build the hospital upon it. above the circular pathway in Taipingshan and directly
and request His Excellency's The ground is situated just opposite the Man Mo Temple.
M. S. TONNOCHY,
Acting Registrar General.
25th June, 1866.
(Minute by The Governor.)
Let Mr. WILSON report and state whether ground be suitable and what its value is.
R. G. McD.
25th June, 1866.
(Minute by the Surveyor General.)
The site now proposed was resumed by the Government from the original tenants in 1854 on account of a landslip which took place there causing the fall of a house and loss of life. The soil was described at the time as partaking of the nature of a quick-sand. The ground is very steep, and I cannot recommend it as a safe place for a hospital. No compensation was paid to the tenants as the ground was considered of no value for building purposes.
27th June, 1866..
W. WILSON,
Surveyor General.