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In these views, after hearing their explanations, we entire-
ly concur.
We understand the desire of the Governor for this
reversal to be based solely on considerations of external
architectural effect, it being considered that a finer
appearance would be produced if the present east façade of the design were adapted to the west side and vice versa.
The architects have under consideration a modification of
the design by which this can be accomplished while leaving
the principal floors of the building unaltered in plan,
all that is necessary being some alterations of the top
floor, which will not be open to the objections indicated
above. They strongly urge the adoption of this arrange-
ment which they think will fully meet the wishes of the
Governor while preserving the carefully designed arrange-
ment of the building. We have not however felt justified
in asking them to proceed with the necessary revised plans
without ascertaining that the proposed modification will
be acceptable to the Governor, and we would therefore sug- gest that a telegram in the following sense should be sent
to Hong Kong:
"Architects strongly deprecate entire reversal plans
"they can reverse elevations as desired by altering
"top floor only if you concur I propose to instruct
"them to prepare details accordingly telegraph reply".
Pending further instructions we have informed
Messrs Webb & Bell that work on the plans should be sus-
pended.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Ma tame ma
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