Hugh M. Cox Supp
7 Castle Terrace)
Cowad
C.O.
40522 737
dale of Right
5th Nov REG & NOV 03
Cagals Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Colonies
Dear Sir/
By the mail from Hong Kong received yesterday, Mr. Stephens informed me that the Reclamation land in front of Marine Lot No. 184 has been sold to China for the sum of $133,500, with an additional sum of $15,000 to be paid for the right of erecting a Pier; this giving a total sum of $148,500.
The estimated cost of reclaiming $32,897, and if this be deducted from the $133,500, there remains a profit of $100,603, not $115,603 as previously calculated.
Before the Reclamation Ordinance was passed, I knew that the reclaimed land would yield a large profit, yet this profit would not meet the obligation of the Crown to compensate in the way promised by Governor De Vaux when he passed the Ordinance.
Relying on the promise made by Governor De Vaux, we did not accept the offer of Government to allow us to take the reclaimed land which has yielded this profit.
We knew that the Hong Kong Government was one of continuity, and believed that the promise made by Governor De Vaux would be carried out, even if it might be grievous when the admitted obligations of the Crown had to be met.
The Award of $15,000 made by the Acting Governor General Blake does not meet that obligation.
The result of the sale of the new Marine Lot clearly shows the value of our old Marine Lot, and that Messrs. Leigh & Orange have not over-estimated it at $283,000.
The new Lot contained an area of 15,200 square feet, whilst...