29
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been sufficient for Mr. Kwik's immediate purposes and
that considerable pressure was used to induce him to
alter the design to a vertical sea wall so as to
conform with the contemplated reclamation eastward
of his lots. Mr. Fletcher, in his minute of
13.10.23, which contains a note of the substantial
agreement reached, states that "The Government took
up the position that the vertical wall must be
constructed" (the underlining is mine). One can
only guess at what was said at the various interviews
which took place, but probably Mr. Kwik was
eventually induced to agree to the vertical wall by
two considerations:-
(a) He obtained at last the coveted
(b)
"blue" area, and at $1.50 a foot. He hoped to obtain a more advantageous
development of his lots by falling in
with the design of the contemplated
reclamation eastward.
The second consideration has hitherto proved illusory
and seems likely to do so for many years to come.
The position therefore is that, as a consequence of pressing invitation by the Government, Mr. Awik, by
largely increased expenditure, has acquired something
which he was quite prepared to do without and which is
of no use to him at present, though it is an asset of
considerable potential value. These circumstances
seem to call for a compromise.
10.
On Mr. Kwik's figures the financial position
as