CO129-302 - Public Offices - 1900 — Page 158

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In these views, after hearing their explanations, we entire-

ly concur.

We understand the desire of the Governor for this

reversal to be based solely on considerations of external

architectural effect, it being considered that a finer

appearance would be produced if the present east façade of the design were adapted to the west side and vice versa.

The architects have under consideration a modification of

the design by which this can be accomplished while leaving

the principal floors of the building unaltered in plan,

all that is necessary being some alterations of the top

floor, which will not be open to the objections indicated

above. They strongly urge the adoption of this arrange-

ment which they think will fully meet the wishes of the

Governor while preserving the carefully designed arrange-

ment of the building. We have not however felt justified

in asking them to proceed with the necessary revised plans

without ascertaining that the proposed modification will

be acceptable to the Governor, and we would therefore sug- gest that a telegram in the following sense should be sent

to Hong Kong:

"Architects strongly deprecate entire reversal plans

"they can reverse elevations as desired by altering

"top floor only if you concur I propose to instruct

"them to prepare details accordingly telegraph reply".

Pending further instructions we have informed

Messrs Webb & Bell that work on the plans should be sus-

pended.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Ma tame ma

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