Enclosure No. 8 to Governor's Despatch
No. 407 of the 14th October, 1901.
From the Director of Public Works to the Colonial Secretary.
Public Works Office, Hongkong, 18th November, 1900.
Sir,
Quarry Farm for 1901.
Referring to C.S.O.54/1900, I have the honour to report that I wrote to Messrs. Punchard, Lowther and Company as per copy of my letter No. 1022 of the 13th November, and annex copy of their reply.
I think perhaps $10,000 is high for one group of quarries in Kowloon, especially if it is only to be a lease for one year.
On the other hand, the increased revenue this year from the Quarry Farm was certainly due to the Naval Yard works being started, and intending bidders for the lease in 1901 would look to making their largest profits from the particular quarries at which Messrs. Punchard, Lowther and Company have established their block yards.
Under the circumstances, I think these Matankok quarries should be put up at an upset price of $7,000, which sum Mr. Tsang Keng is prepared to bid.
In the C.S.O.54/1900, I am sending a draft notice for Gazette; the aggregate of the upset prices I suggest comes to $34,000, and with the byeonun quarries bringing in $3,300 per annum, we will get more than the Estimate for 1901 if these prices are realized.
I have etc.,
(Sgd.) S. DA Ormsby,
Director of Public Works.
Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.