Both the experts consider that the only solution is wholesale reemption and radial rebuilding. As the landowners (mostly Chinese, I believe) are not only hugely responsible for the disgraceful state of Hongkong, but have made profit from the overcrowding and have consistently obstructed, in and out, every enormous attempt to deal properly with the housing problem, I hope that a scheme will be allowed to form the principal means of raising the money required. Any proposals of this kind must however be kept back till we have some idea of the magnitude of the operation conferred on 19th July and some steps will be taken to enforce the laws relating to sanitation and building with regard to all new buildings in the bound area and beyond.
Mr. Lucas has pointed out that the newspaper report referred to in the letter of 17th July was rather exaggerated, as the area resumed by Govt was only a small portion of the area burnt. I do not know why this selection was made, but the reason given was that the newspaper reported the area to be over 2 acres.
[Plan enclosed]
The enclosed plan shows that 4/7 of the area was burnt.
C.O. 26893
R 3 JUL 02
Goverment House,
Hongkong, 27th May, 1902.
235
I have the honour to inform you that on the 29th March an extensive fire took place in a densely-populated portion of the City of Victoria, involving the total destruction of 41 houses and the partial destruction of many more. It broke out on the ground floor of No. 286, Queen's Road Central, which contained a silver-smith's shop, but the cause of its origin is unknown. Owing to the prolonged drought and consequent scarcity of water there was none in the mains and some delay necessarily occurred in turning the water on. Water had also to be pumped by the Fire Engines from the sea to the scene of the fire, and the delays which thus occurred before the Fire Brigade could pour water on the flames coupled with the prevalence of a strong wind at the time led to the rapid and extensive spread of the conflagration. The damage to property (some of which was insured) is estimated at $990,000. No lives were reported as lost. The annexed plan shows the area affected by this conflagration, from which it will be seen that most of the property destroyed was in Queen's Road Central and Lower and Upper Lascar Row.
To The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P..
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