Feca
768
&
486
Ree? O JAN OF
Hongkong, 1st December, 1899.
Sir,
Expenditure on Public Works Extraordinary.
In connection with the proposed Expenditure by the Government on Public Works Extraordinary during 1900 permit me to enclose herein copy of my Protest dated 23rd ultimo against the decision of the majority of the Legislative Council, the original of which was laid on the table at yesterday's meeting of Council. A copy thereof will be forwarded to you by the Colonial Government no doubt per this opportunity.
By the way the Plans of the New Law Courts recently received by the Government from the Colonial Office were laid upon the table of the Council at last week's meeting. The said Plans are far from what they should be, in fact they may be said to be faulty. There are several portions of the building without any verandah and other portions with uncovered verandahs in short wholly unsuitable for the climate here. The Home Architects have placed the main Entrance and Facade on the wrong side of the building, viz:- on the East side. The East faces a road only 50 feet wide, whereas the road on the West side of the site is 75 feet wide. In addition thereto there will be an open space of some 85 feet which will be turfed later on so as to correspond with the open space of some 85 feet on the opposite side of the road which has already been turfed by the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank. The Elevations on three sides of the said Plans are very ordinary, yea common, and if the New Law Courts are erected in accordance with these Plans the building will compare most unfavourably with the adjoining buildings designed and constructed by local Architects.
In your Despatch No.132 of 16th June 1896 to Governor Sir Wm Robinson you intimated that you are not prepared to