415
of thought which it may be worth while to pursue
further. It is, however, a matter which would
naturally be investigated by the Foreign Office through
H.B.M. Minister at Peking, and this Government can hardly
at this stage venture to reduce the general suggestion
to any more definite form.
16. The plan (enclosure No.2) supplies the detail
required to complete this despatch: and it will be seen
that the expenditure I suggest involves an estimated
total of $1,738,000. of this gum $738,000 1s the
estimated cost of completing the entire reclamation (a
work which would be undertaken by the Government at ita
own choice of time) and $1,000,000 it is estimated would
be sufficient to buy out the Kal Tak Company.
17.
I have, therefore, the honour to request
authority to negotiate with the Kal Tak Company for the
purchase of their rights over the 170 acres which appear
on the plan coloured buff at the estimated cost of
$1,000,000: and to finance this operation by the issue
in due course of Treasury Bonds.
18.
This despatch was considered in draft at a
meeting of the Hong-Kong General Defence Committee held
on the 17th February and the Committee unanimously
concurs in the despatch.
I have, etc.,
(Signed) C. CLEMENTI,
Governor &c.
X
Not reproduced.
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