647
58
In this view of the case, I have again to ask that, unless the Reclamation has to be continued in front of our Lot in the near future, the Government dredger may be used in restoring the access by water to our Lot to what it was before the Reclamation was commenced.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
30
in July, 1892, and will be good enough to give me an answer to my letter of the 13th July, 1892, I do not apprehend any difficulty in coming to a settlement of the question.
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
THOS. HOWARD.
The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
THOS. HOWARD,
No. 1412.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 3rd July, 1895,
SIR,
HONGKONG, 18th September, 1894.
I have not yet received an answer to my letter of the 6th instant with reference to dredging the foreshore in front of Marine Lot No. 184,
Seeing that the question is simplified to the Government consenting to dredge the foreshore, or telling me that the Reclamation has to be continued in front of our Lot in the near future, I confess I do not see any reason for the delay of your reply.
The delay may mean nothing to a Government servant, but it means damage to our Godowns, and, I apprehend it is no part of the duty of the representative of Her Majesty the Queen to wilfully subject a Crown Lessee to any damage that can be obviated, and, too, by so small an effort as the reply requested.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
SIR,
Referring to the final paragraph of your letter of the 24th ultimo, I am directed to state that there is nothing to add to my predecessor's letter No. 1227 of the 2nd July, 1892, in which you were clearly informed that "unless and until you prove depreciation of your property by reason of the construction of the Reclamation in front of it, it is premature to discuss whether any, and if so, what compensation should be given therefor; and that when you are prepared to prove such depreciation, you should submit a statement thereof to the Director of Public Works."
If you are therefore now in a position to prove depreciation, you should follow the course indicated above,
I have the honour to be,
T. HOWARD, Esq.
Sir
Your most obedient Servant,
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
SIR,
THOS. HOWARD.
SIR,
HONGKONG, 24th June, 1895.
On several occasions I have drawn the attention of the Government to the difficulty of access at low tides to the frontage of Marine Lot No. 184, caused by the silting up of the foreshore in consequence of the works of the Praya Reclamation.
The danger of damage to boats grounding, and the difficulty of landing cargo at these low tides are so great that I deem it necessary again to call the attention of the Government to the matter, in the hope that if it is not intended to proceed with the Reclamation in front of our Lot in the near future, the Government may see the necessity of dredging the foreshore.
Should His Excellency the Governor think that the present time is opportune to proceed with the negotiations, as to the Resumption of our Lot, left in abeyance
HONGKONG, 5th July, 1895.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant in reply to mine of the 24th ultimo.
This reply deals only with the suggestion in the final paragraph of my letter, and not to the matter to which I specially called the attention of the Government, namely, the dredging of the foreshore in front of our Lot.
I have therefore now to ask if the Government will dredge the foreshore, and thereby give us access by water to our frontage such as existed before the commencement of the Praya Reclamation.
During the last low tides, cargo for the godowns had to be landed opposite to the Gas Works, which not only necessitated increased labour for carrying, but is liable to be stopped at any moment by the Gas Company.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
THOS. HOWARD.