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Enclosure: I in Gorana Richard Graves MacDonnell's Despatch Nr 486 of 9th March 1868
HONGKONG, 29th October, 1867. SIR-We, the undersigned Læssecs of Marine
Jots, have carefully perused the Circular ad- dressed to some of our number by order of your ! Excelleany, with reference to the condition of the Pray
2.It is but too evident that unless this sea wall is extensively repaired or entirely rebuilt, the Prara will soon becoue unfit for public traffic, and the buildings in its vicinity will be placed in the utmost jeopardy; and while thua agreeing with your Excellency that the matter is one which demands immediate action, we deeply regret that the state of the Colonial funds should be such as to canes the Govern- ment to hesitate about commencing the work.
3.-We cannot Lowever agree to your Excel.. lency's suggestion that the expense of this large public undertaking should be jointly shared by the Government and the Magine Lot Holders. Our opinion on this point cannot be more disitnetly expressed, than by repeating the words of a resolution unanimously carried at a meeting of Marine, Lot Holders, on ibe 13th September, 1964, and afterwards commu. nicated to Government, viz :-.
That as the construction of the present Praya was carried out entirely under the su pervision of the Gwerament authorities, the Marine lot-holders do not consider themselves answerable for its alleged defective condition. nor bound to incur the cost of rebuilding the sea wall, more especially, as the distinct under- standing with the Government on the subject was that the Prays once built by the Marine lot-holders. its maintenance in proper condition was to be a burden on the colony at large."
4. The grounds on which the foregoing re- volution was adopted. have acquired additiound i strength through the lapse of time, and the changes which bare necessarily taken place in the ownership of property, as well as from the general cireninstances of the Colony.
5. We therefore submit that there is in com- mon justice an obligation on the part of Go- vernwent to assume this work on behalf of the Colony at large. and we trust that on further sideration your Excellency will also adopt this conclusiou.
This feller is signed
nauriy all excepting the Chinese Marine lot holders.)
To His Excellency.
SIR RICHARD GRAVES MCDONNELL, C.B. Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
Hongkong.
2. 419 70-
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