SIR,
No. 7.
Hongkong, 19th September, 1891.
FROM a Government Notification I see that it is requested that Owners of Wharves and Piers claiming to be entitled to compensation under Section 7 of Ordinance 16 of 1889 should appoint a representative to confer with the Surveyor General on the principle to be adopted in apportioning the $180,000 set apart for compensation.
Mr. M. J. D. Stephens and myself are owners of Marine Lot No. 184 and of the Pier in front thereof, and claim to be entitled to compensation; but to what extent, I am unable to determine: because the Government is not carrying on the Reclamation Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance, but is leaving out Marine Lots Nos. 184, 191, 190, 180, and 188.
Although our Lot is being left out, yet, the Scheme as at present proposed will render it necessary to remove part of the Pier, and thus will arise a claim for compensation under the Ordinance.
Of course, if it is intended to complete the Reclamation in front of these Lots, as soon as the other part of the Section is finished, then the Government would have to claim the whole of the compensation for the Pier, inasmuch as Marine Lot No. 184 would have to be resumed, I suppose, under the covenant in the Crown Lease: for Mr. M. J. D. Stephens and myself, as owners of the aforesaid Lot 184, have not agreed to the Reclamation Scheme.
I should therefore be glad to know if the Government propose to carry out the Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance.
The Hon. W. M. GOODMAN,
Acting Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.
I have, &c. (Signed)
THOMAS HOWARD.
No. 8.
No. 1918.
SIR,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 24th October, 1891.
In acknowledging your letter of the 19th ultimo, I regret that owing to the representations you made and to the enquiry thereby necessitated there should have seemingly been some delay in answering it.
I have the honour now to inform you that as you and Mr. J. D. Stephens have not come into the Scheme, the Government is advised that you have no claim as of right to any compensation in respect of your Marine Lot 184, but that if the Wharf or Pier in front thereof is removed you will be entitled to claim a proportion of the sum not exceeding $180,000 set apart by the Ordinance for compensation for such removal and that the Government now invite you in anticipation of such removal to make such representations as to the amount eventually to be paid you and otherwise as you may think fit.
In reference to your statement that the Government is not carrying out the Reclamation Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance, I have to point out to you that although the Ordinance authorises a general line of reclamation commencing from a point opposite Marine Lot No. 188 and terminating at a point opposite Murray Pier, there is no duty cast upon the Government of commencing the work of reclamation at any given point and there is no reason to suppose that the Scheme will be carried out otherwise than in accordance with the Ordinance.
THOS. HOWARD, Esq.
&c., &c., &c.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) W. MEIGH GOODMAN,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
636
.8.6V
SIR,
9
--
No. 7.
Hongkong, 19th September, 1891.
FROM a Government Notification I see that it is requested that Owners of Wharves and Piews claiming to be entitled to compensation under Section 7 of Ordinance 16 of 1889 should appoint a representative to confer with the Surveyor General on the principle to be adopted in apportioning
be $180,000 set apart for compensation.
Mr. M. J. D. Stephens and myself are owners of Marine Lot No. 184 and of the Pier in front thereof, and claim to be entitled to compensation; but to what extent, I am unable to determine: because the Government is not carrying on the Reclamation Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance, but is leaving out Marine Lots Nos. 184, 191, 190, 180 and 188.
Although our Lot is being left out, yet, the Scheme as at present proposed will render it necessary to remove part of the Pier, and thus will arise claim for compensation under the Ordinance.
Of course if it is intended to complete the Reclamation in front of these Lots, as soon as the other part of the Section is finished, then the Government would have to claim the whole of the compensation for the Pier, inasmuch as Marine Lot No. 184 would have to be resumed, I suppose, under the covenant in the Crown Lease: for Mr. M. J. D. Stephens and myself, as owners of the aforesaid Lot 184, have not agreed to the Reclamation Scheme.
I should therefore be glad to know if the Government propose to carry out the Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance.
The Hou. W. M. GOODMAN,
Acting Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.
I have, &c. (Signed)
THOMAS HOWARD.
No. 8.
No. 1918.
NIR,
Colonal Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 24th October, 1891.
Is acknowledging your letter of the 19th ultimo, I regret that owing to the representations you made and to the enquiry thereby necessitated there should have seemingly been some delay in answering it.
I have the honour now to inform you that as you and Mr. J. D. Steplions have not come into the Scheme, the Government is advised that you have no claim as of right to any -compensation in respect of your Marine Lot 184, but that if the Wharf or Pier in front thereof is removed you will be entitled to claim a proportion of the sum not exceeding $180,000 set apart by the Ordinance for compensation for such removal and that the Government now invite you in anticipation of such removal to make such representations as to the amount eventually to be puid you and otherwise as you may think fit.
In reference to your statement that the Government is not carrying out the Reclamation Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance I have to point out to you that although the Ordinance authorises a general line of reclamation commencing from a point opposite Marine Lot No. 188 aud terminating at a point opposite Murray Pier, there is no duty cast upon the Government of commencing the work of reclamation at any given point and there is no reason to suppose that the Scheme will be carried out otherwise than in accordance with the Ordinance.
THOS. HOWARD, Esq.
&c..
&e., &c.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) W. MEIGH GOODMAN,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
636
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