634
A-Yes. I had it actually in my mind. I have not the original report; it is in our letter-book.
Q-If one was $1.60 and the other $2.00, how did you come to put this a $2.50 ?
A-Because it has a longer frontage down Whitty Street.
Q-Were they Godowns?
A--No. They were Chinese houses. They were not fitted as Godowns, or. constructed as such. I think the houses are there now.
Q-They are really Chinese houses?
A--Yes.
Q-And how many storeys have they got?
A-Two; ground and first.
Q-They are still there?
A-I think so, though you will not find the same numbers.
Q-In your report you do not quote this reason for your valuation that you have just mentioned ?
A-No; I gave my opinion without reasons.
Q-And you pointed out that the Lot for Godown purposes has been com- pletely ruined owing to the works of the Praya Reclamation; that was your honest belief, and, so far as you know, the honest belief of Mr. Leigh?
A-Yes.
Q-You also point out that owing to their being situated so far out West, their value for residential purposes is, for some years to come, spoiled ?
A-Yes.
Q-You looked upon it being so far West as a disadvantage?
A-Yes; from a residential point of view.
Q-As a matter of fact, you know that 184 is still used for Godowns ?
A-Yes.
Q—And is it not a fact that a great many Godowns were erected in the neighbourhood of these Godowns in the year 1890? Is it not a fact that Godowns were opened in the neighbourhood in the year 1895 ?
A-I would not like to say to a year or two.
Q-Well, 1897 and 1898 ?
A-Well, yes, in 1897. 198, 204 and 205 were newly erected Godowns. We built 204 and 205.
Q-They were new Godowns?
A--Yes; I cannot say when they were finished, but I think somewhere about 1897.
Q-And what other Lot?
A-I think 186 was built upon afterwards,
Q-That was finished in 1898 ?