26
Apprehension having been felt that Lord Stanley's orders, to the effect that the finances of the Colony might become embarrassed, not to appropriate any part of the Income of 1858 to the work.
But in the meanwhile, and without the expenditure of a farthing of the Public money, the Chinese have consented to make and pay rent for a large portion of the Praya in front of their holdings, and their work is now nearly completed. Amicable arrangements have been come to with most of the holders of Marine Lots in front of the City, and that portion of the Praya, of which the frontage properly belongs to the Government, is in process of construction.
27
302
The immediate question which required solution was the formation of that part of the Praya between the Sea and the property leased to Messrs. Dent and Co. and Lindsay, to the west, and which would enable us to communicate from the Parade ground with Pedder's Wharf (in addition to which a very small portion to the east, ground claimed by the military authorities but surrendered by them after examination, would have to be constructed). An estimate for the Sea wall, filling in, and piers proposed to be added for the special convenience of Messrs. Dent and Lindsay's firm, was calculated at