F
Encl. No.2.
Enclo.No.3.
(Not available in
क)
2.
25
the five coloured red on the plan have remained in
private ownership.
3. It had originally been proposed to charge
rent for the different areas occupied in the Colony
by the Shanghai Defence Force and the Military
Authorities were so informed.
But on further
consideration it was decided that no rent should be
charged and a letter, copy attached, was sent to the
Military Authorities. It was however never contem-
plated that the occupation would be other than of
short duration, and in respect of property other
than that at Sham Shui Po this view was correct.
Sham Shui Po however still continues in military
occupation, and the hutments are now, it is understood,
showing signs of deterioration so that the question
of their replacement by more permanent structures
may arise at any time.
But so long as three
battalions are stationed in Hong Kong there is at
present nowhere else for the third battalion to go.
It is therefore unlikely that the Military Authorities
will wish to give up this area for the next few years.
Meanwhile Government is losing revenue on a large
area on which it has expended considerable sums and
the development of the district, of which a key plan
is attached, is being seriously hindered. The area
on which the Military Camp stands is eminently
adapted to encouraging general development in the
district, which had gone far before 1927 and has
since continued; but the sea frontage of the
reclamation to which the public at present has only
limited