CO129-270 - Public Offices & Others - 1895 — Page 18

also by reason of the fact that we work one of the

Hongkong Government Cables, and have offered in

addition to further assist the signalling systém at

less than the actual cost of so doing that the Company

was justified in asking the Government of Hongkong

to allot the site on the most favorable terms possible

In fact when the Company works the signalling service,

as proposed, we shall operate four lines for the Govern-

-ment against seven for ourselves, thus making the

Office a semi-Government building.

As Your Lordship is aware, the Government

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of the Straits Settlements had already recognised the

principle above referred to even before the negotiations

for the strategic line were begun, by granting to the

Company a site of reclaimed land without competition

and at practically cost price. The Australasian

Governments have gone even further than this, and in

some of the Colonies, provided the Company with Office

and Staff accommodation free of charge together with

exemption from taxation and Port and Custom duties.

In reply to the Manager's representations

His Excellency the Governor was good enough to make

handsome recognition of the Company's services, and

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in accepting our views offered to sell to the Company

privately a suitable site at $ 4

per foot, subject of

course to Your Lordship's approval.

I am informed that the above figure fully

covers the cost of reclaiming the land and under all

the circumstances I trust your Lordship will cordially

acquiesce in the proposed arrangement.

I have the honor to be

My Lord,

Your Lordship's obedient Servant,

songo,

Schwstands.

Chairman.

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