}
520
to the fact that the delay of almost 3 years in this trans-
action has cost the War Office the premium of the land which
reckoned at 273 cents the Square Foot would have amounted
to $373,044.92. It has cost the Colony the loss of a Crown
Rental of $10,900 per annum as well as of Assessed Taxes on
land and buildings. Finally it has cost the Company their
opportunity and the Admiralty the use of a fine Dock.
6.
The delay was due primarily to the
Admiralty demands for if the land had reverted to the Colony
in the regular way, the Colonial Goverment unhampered by a
triangular negotiation would have had no difficulty to coming
to terms with the Dock Company and the Dock would in all pro-
bability have been by this time far advanced towards completion.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
Huvij
Governor, &c...
P.S. I enclose a report from the "Hongkong Daily
Press of the 9th. instant giving an account of the Dock
Company's Meeting referred to in paragraph 1.
bnclosure 2.