410
Scarsdale Villas, Kensington) and would be able, if required, to furnish the Architects with any further information if desired.
I am to request that the Architects' special attention may be drawn to the question of the foundations of the buildings, bearing in view that they will be on ground recently reclaimed from the sea; and that they may be further given to understand that they are to have a free hand to deal with the designs generally as they may think desirable.
It has not yet been decided that the Colony can at once undertake such extensive buildings, and Mr Chamberlain would be glad to know whether, in the opinion of the Consulting Architects, it is practicable to reduce the cost of the buildings, without material loss of accommodation or convenience.
DRAFT.
HONG KONG
2.147
W.Robinson, K.C.M.G.
MINUTE.
Mr. Johnson 19 July
Mr. Lucas
Mr. Graham. Mr Fairfield.
Mr. Fairfield.
Mr Wingfield--
Mr. Brumston.
Mr. Wingfield.
Earl of Selborne.
Mr Chamberlain.
20 July
C.O. to Agents 21 July 1897 (draft).
2 drafts
11145 Downing Street
23 July 1897.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 88 of the 24th April last, relative to the proposed erection of new Government Offices. My answer has awaited the arrival of the plans of the new buildings, which only reached this office at the beginning of the current month.
2. With the information at present before me, I am not satisfied that the financial position of the Hong Kong Government is such as to justify the large expenditure involved in these new buildings