CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6] — Page 8

0.0.

17€24

7

RECD

Cx

No.

186.

5 JUN 00

Government House,

th

HongKong, May, 1900.

27201

sir,

With reference to your despatch No.249

of the 27th.of October last, I have the honour to inform you

that the Jubilee Committee, who are employing a private firm

of Architects in the matter, reported on the Ist. instant that

after great difficulty, contracts had at last been entered in-

to for the construction of the Women and Children's Hospital

and Nursing Institute.

The difficulty referred to is being expe-

rienced in connection with all building operations.

The demand for labour and building mate-

rial exceeds the supply, the want of accommodation for the la-

bouring classes enhances rents s so that it is now impossible

to obtain a contract for almost any kind of building except

at exorbitant rates.

The Right Honourable

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,

800-

800.

&cC.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your Most Obedient Humble Servant,

H.J. Gascoigne

Major-General

Administering the Government.

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