:
238 245
Thomson has stated his belief that the West Point nullahs, to
the condition of which I now desire to invite your attention,
are the next in importance to be trained after the Ripon
Terrace nullah. The Director of Public Works estimates the
cost at $11,500 the whole of which could, he considers, be
spent this year if the work is put in hand at once.
4.
Two house-owners in the district, Mr.
A. Babington and Mr. Fung Wa Chun, have agreed to advance to
Government, if and when called upon to do so, the funds neces-
sary for this work up to a limit of $20,000. In view of this
guarantee and the urgent necessity of taking steps to render
the western part of the City less dangerous to health, and in
view also of the fact that funds for the purpose were voted
last year and not expended, I have given instructions for the
work to be undertaken at once and completed with the least
delay possible in order that some improvement may be effected
before the fever season again sets in. I am assured by the
Director of Public Works that this additional expenditure
will not involve any excess over the votes for Public Works
Extraordinary for the current year.
5.
I have now the honour to ask for your
authority to incur the required expenditure this year, and
request that a reply be sent by telegraph.
6
•
Should your reply be unfavourable the
expenditure this year will be met out of the advance guaranteed
by the gentlemen named, and I shall make provision for the
expenditure
...