The Mercantile Bank of India, Limited, Hongkong, 25th October, 1906.
The Honourable Mr. W. Chatham, Surveyor to H.M. the King.
Sir,
I am in receipt of your favour of 23rd October with enclosures.
I would respectfully point out that the Lessee of Inland Lot No. 1523 has on no less than three occasions built up this retaining wall and that on the last occasion the Lessee employed the services of Architects accepted by the Government as sufficiently able men to carry out the duties of Public Architects in this Colony and also that the wall was on each occasion built in such a manner as to satisfy the Surveyor of H. M. the King as laid down in the lease.
I would further point out that the present collapse was caused by the nullahs on Government land above Inland Lot No. 1523 not being of sufficient size to carry off the abnormal flow of water and so overflowing and carrying earth down on to the wall and I would refer you to Messrs. Weaser and Raven's report to the Colonial Secretary dated 17th August, 1905, to which a plan is attached which deals very fully with this subject.
The Lessee has spent a considerable amount already on this wall and has no longer the necessary funds with which to rebuild.
Seeing that the Lessee has so far done her utmost to carry out the conditions of the Lease and that the collapse is now due to the fall of Government lands on to the wall, I would most respectfully ask the Government to render some assistance to the Lessee instead of suggesting a re-entry upon the property. If the Government could see their way...