No. 353. 55280 418
M&C: Government House, Hongkong, 7th September, 1901.
You 15991 Sir,
In continuation of my telegram of the 4th instant, I have the honour to inform you that since the date of my Despatch No. 139 of the 4th of last April, concerning the Naval Yard Extension and the reinstatement of the Victoria Recreation Club, I have been in communication with the Naval Authorities and, as a result of a conference with Commodore Powell, I despatched to you my telegram of the 29th ultimo, which you informed me in your telegram of the 3rd instant, you did not fully understand.
2.
The original proposal regarding Murray Pier was that the Admiralty should take over the entire Pier and pay to the Colonial Government as compensation a sum of $24,000. This scheme was, however, rejected because it seemed undesirable to withdraw this valuable pier from the use of the public. Accordingly a compromise has been agreed upon between myself and the Commodore, namely that only the Eastern side of the Pier should be handed to the Naval Authorities, the West side being reserved for Public traffic. The Commodore has, subject to the sanction of the Admiralty, consented to pay a sum of $15,000 into the Colonial Treasury towards compensation.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,