W.L. 3546/1901.
HONG KONG.
61
C. O.
34346
RECEIVED 1 OCT 01
21st June 1901.
To the Hon. T. Bercombe Smith
Acting Colonial Secretary,
Sir,
Hong Kong.
1.
We, the undersigned, being immediately concerned in Buildings and Public Works in the Colony, beg respectfully to draw the attention of the Government to the conditions under which alone granite stone is now procurable for such works, and to suggest a remedy for the defects therein.
2.
Granite is the only building stone procurable in the Colony. It is of excellent quality and unlimited in quantity. Under proper conditions it would be much more largely used than it is in Works of the Colony. It would also be largely exported for use elsewhere.
3.
The quarries are at present let annually by auction to the highest bidder. He has the sole and entire right to quarry and sell granite. Should others embark in the trade it can only be by arrangement with him and on payment of royalties to him.
4.
This system is extremely harmful to the Colony. It restricts the quantity of stone procurable to a certain limited amount. Consequently the works of the district in which granite is employed are being seriously delayed. There are few countries in the world where the natural building material cannot be quarried and sold freely.