CO129-283 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [5-6] — Page 444

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1898.

MEMORANDUM

C.C

10028

RES.

19 JUL 13

By the Acting Colonial Secretary respecting the transfer of

439

Gun Club Hill,Kowloon, to the War Department.

On the 18th. May last the General Officer Com-

manding asked that the site known as Gun Club Hill, Kowloon,

might be transferred to the Military Authorities as a site

for barracks. Copy letter attached.

2. The question of the value of the land was

referred to the Director of Public Works, Mr.Ormsby, copy of

whose minute is attached, dated 31st.May/98.

3. On 3rd. June this Government wrote transfer-

ring the site to the Military Authorities on the ground that

military exigencies required immediate transfer. The determi-

nation of the value of the site and the settlement of the

mode of payment were left over. See letter No.896 of 3rd. June

of which copy is attached.

4. On the 10th. June the Military Authorities

replied but avoided giving the information asked for in the

letter of 3rd. June. Copy of memos. of 10th. June annexed.

5. Mr.Ormsby's minute states clearly the means

596

Game 1898

E

10 Jum 1898.

by which he arrived at his valuation, and undervalues rather

than overvalues the property. In addition to the figures quoted

by Mr.Ormsby, I beg to state that Mr. Chater probably the

best judge of the value of land in the Colony

wants 50 cents

a square foot for his Inland Lot No.611 and that Inland Lot

No.441 next it and nearer to Gun Club Hill was sold in 1889

for