3.
47
burable Francis A. Cooper,
Director of Public Works.
sir,
Hong Kong, 15th May 1893.
In accordance with your request, we beg to submit a few facts
and figures in support of our contention that the Taikoo Sugar
Refining Co.Ltd. should not be called upon to pay more than 3 cts
per sq foot for the land and water rights it desires to acquire
for the erection of a Dam near Quarry Bay.
The Taikoo Sugar Refining Co.Ltd. has since its start about
10 years ago, paid to the Government $68,193 for land and $45,500
in ground rent and taxes, Its present annual contribution to the
3xchequer is $8,964. and if the Works, Godowns, and Dwelling Houses
now proposed are completed the total yearly payment may be
expected to amount to some $12,000.
Apart from the direct benefit which will thus accrue to the
Colony, we would point out that, as the doubling of our works will
lead to a like increase of workmen, the Government will, apart from
taxes paid by the Company, indirectly benefit in revenue and
prosperity from the addition to the wage earning population of the
Colony. There will also be a not inconsiderable accession of
revenue to the Goverment from light dues and shipping fees to be
contributed by the large amount of steam tonnage, - estimated at
200,000 tons annually required to bring Raw Sugar and Coals
inward and convey Refined Sugar outwards,
There are, at present, employed and residing at quarry Bay
39 Europeans and 1,970. Natives.
:
!
As you may be aware, the Goverment valued our original sitė,
on which the Refinery was built at a heavy expenditure for
reclamation and piling- at 1 ct per sq: foot, which was then
considered a very high rate for unproductive land in out-of-the-way
districts. We have verbally explained to you the causes which led