406
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(Enclosure.)
Extract from the proceedings of a meeting of the Public Office Committee held on the 24th September, 1895.
Read a letter from the Colonial Secretary No. 1,914 of the 20th September, 1895.
Considered seriatim the several points referred to in the above letter.
Mr. CHATER moved the following resolution:--"That this Committee is in favour of inviting public competition, and awarding a premium for the most suitable plans and designs for the proposed New Government Buildings."
Mr. MCCONACHIE seconded.
The Chairman moved as an amendment: "That this Committee is in favour of the plans, etc., being prepared by the Director of Public Works and of such plans being submitted to a competent authority at home for approval and amendment, if necessary."
The above amendment not being seconded,
Mr. CHATER'S motion was put and agreed to by a majority of three, the Chairman and the Acting Treasurer not voting.
Mr. CHATER moved that premia be offered as follows:-
No. 490.
SIR,
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Appendix B.
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.
approves
With regard to the question of premia, His Excellency the Governor 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,
GOVERNMENT OFFICES COMMITTEE,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
$2,000 for the best design sent in.
$1,000 for the second best design.
$500 for the third best design.
And that in the event of the best competitive design being accepted and the work being carried out by the successful competitor, the premium be merged in the commission money.
Mr. JACKSON seconded.
Question put and agreed to. The Chairman and the Acting Treasurer did not vote.
Mr. COATER moved that the Government be asked to request the Director of Public Works to draft the terms of competition.
Mr. JACKSON seconded.
Question put and agreed to. The Chairman and the Acting Treasurer not voting.
The question of adjudication upon the competitive designs was then discussed, and the Committee were of opinion that the merits of the several designs submitted should be decided by His Excellency the Governor in consultation with the Members of the Committee and of the Public Works Committee of the Legislative Council, it being assumed that in the first instance the Director of Public Works will report upon the several plans, for the information of His Excellency and the Committee.
SIR,
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 recommend the adoption of the particulars 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 unanimously 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,
The Honourable
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
F. J. BADELEY,
Secretary.