CO129-252 - Acting Governor Barker & Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1891 [12] — Page 108

Hongkong,

107

11th March, 1887,

Colonel STORER,

Commanding Royal Engines.

Sir,

We observe that your Department is cutting a trench on the North side of Hill Street against the South boundary of Inland Lot No. 674 and a square pit, as we understand, for a surface channel, and a sand trap at its South East corner.

It is our purpose to remove the wall bounding Inland Lot No. 674 to the South against Hill Street. You may therefore consider it suitable that any drain should be laid upon a firm bottom, and not be dependent at all either upon the wall or the loose sand washed down from the hill which lies behind it, and has accumulated above the level of the Road,

We would also desire to protest in the name of our principals against the granite foundation for a wall which has been laid diagonally across Hill Street from its Southern to its Northern side at the South Eastern corner of Inland Lot No. 674. The effect of this wall will be to cut off all communication from this lot to the public road by which it is described in the Crown Lease as bounded to the South.

We consider that the deprivement of the use of this public Highway, and the appropriation of the ground without any compensation or even notice most unjustifiable, and we hold the Secretary of State for War, and the Colonial Government answerable for all consequences.

We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servants,

(Sd) SHARP & Co.,

Agents for Owners of Inland Lot No. 674.

Gentlemen,

Royal Engineer's Office, Hongkong, 16th March, 1887.

In reply to your letter of the 11th instant, I have the honor to inform

you that the land to the South of Inland Lot 674, was handed over to the War Department by the Colonial Government, and the War Department boundary stones were placed where they are with the consent of the Honourable the Surveyor General, any complaint which you may have to make on this matter should therefore be addressed to the Colonial Government, who will no doubt pay due regard to it if well founded.

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