hion.Col.Secy.
30021
Rol
ترام
Noted- Messrs Butterfield and Swire b00
Hon. A, C, S,
R.D.0.
D.P.W.
16/3.
432
With reference to the papers in
the Quarry Bay case, I shall be glad to have the op- inion of the Attorney General as to hoy far the priv- ate letter of the D.P.W. to Mr.Smith commits the Gov-
ernment.
Hon. Attorney General.
Papers passed to you for advice.
A.R.
16/5.
F.H.M.
17/3/900.
Hon.Col.Secy.
H.E.hes, I understand,authority to despose of land be- longing to Her Majesty, in accordance with Instructions given from time to time by the s.of State. The D.P.W. has, however, no authority to make arrangements with persons desirous of obtaining land, which in suy way binds .., unless H. E. authorises and sanctions such arrangements. An official application dated 9th.Feb. 1900, is made for certain land or considerable extent and value and an official reply dated 9th.Fad. March is sent.
"
In the course of the negotiations between the would-be purchasers and the D.P.W.,cer- tain private and unofficial letters pass between the representatives of the purchasers and Mr.Ormsby.To facilitate negotiations, Mr. Ormsby as D.P.W. has a pri- vate interview with li.E. and bona fide, but erroneously as it appears, under'stands that H.E. is willing to have the land put up for auction at 10 cents per square foot. I take it ..did not authorise Mr. Ormsby to
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