CO129-293 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [8-9] — Page 379

376

form of agreement.

4.

Owing to the representations of the pier

owners which were supported by the Hongkong Chamber of Coanerce,

it was considered advisable whilst raising the rents to reduce

the rates fixed in the revised schedule.

5.

The representatives of the wharf and pier

owners, whilst expressing themselves willing to pay the increased

rents fixed in the revised schedule as amended rent, urge that

compensation should be paid to the owner of any pier, the removal

of which is required on public grounds.

3.

I have consulted the Acting Attorney General

on the question of compensation, who advises that though the right

Enclosure (Printed)

of removal without compensation undoubtedly exists under the

agreement between the Government and owners of piers, a copy of

which is attached, the Government has never exercised that right

hitherto, and probably would never do so, as such a course would

be inequitable, however legally justifiable; and, further, he

points out that in the case of the removal of piers under the

Praya Reclamation Ordinance 18 of 1889, compensation was paid,

which seems to create a precedent.

7.

Some of the piers at present erected and

some proposed to be erected are expensive structures, and it is

pointed