CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7] — Page 105

That

there will be no difficulty in effecting an exchange with the War Office also, will give the Colony an unbroken sea front from Belchers Bay to the Sugar Works and will put it in possession of all the land in the centre of the City of which it has been so long deprived. The Praya can then be prolonged from Murray Wharf to the Blue Buildings as indicated in the chart herewith. The present naval premises with the land to be reclaimed in front of it will give 960,200 square feet or 22.08 acres of available land. The removal of the military establishment to Causeway Bay or some other less central position will give some 887,000 square fect or 20.40 The gain will pro- acres of level land, in all 1,847,300 square feet or 42.48 acres. bably be much greater as in time all the 84 acres of military ground in the centre Six millions of dollars is a fair estimate of of the City can be acquired. the net value of the naval land aloue in the shape of premia, to say nothing of the immense addition to the income from Crown Rents and Taxes. But the money value is the least important portion of the profit to the Colony from the proposed exchanges. This area of building land in the very heart of the City will do more to obviate the dangers arising from overcrowding that ten times the area to the eastward or to the westward. Furthermore, Fast and West will be brought into closer contact. There will be one city instead of two and instead of one narrow thoroughfare three wide and handsome avenues will unite the two parts of the city, giving every facility for easy communication by Trams or otherwise.

I most respectfully urge upon His Excellency the Governor the expediency of taking prompt action in this matter. If the exchange propose cannot be carried out now, before substantial progress is made with the Naval Yard extension, it will All the circumstances seem to be favourable at be impossible to effect it later on. the present moment and all the local authorities more or less well disposed. The gain to the Colony will be so immense that almost any price might safely be paid for the exchange. About ths of the land proposed to be given in exchange is the property of the Government. The other eighth would have to be resumed and compensation paid to the present owners,

That wonkl absorb two millions and a quarter of dollars at the outside. If the Admiralty should demand the refund of the monies already expended on the works for the extension of the Naval Yard so far as they have gone, or. that might have to be disbursed as compensation to the contractors for removing their plant and machinery, the Colony can well afford it. The total money cost would be nothing compared with the value of the land and the gain in health and freedom of locomotion in the Colony.

I append memorandinn shewing approximate figures, as far as it is possible for me to arrive at them, and I hoje His Excellency will get them verified by the Director of Public Works before accepting them as final.

Memo shewing approximate Value of Land to be given and taken in Exchange

in connection with Naval Yard.

Area of present Hongkong Yard

Proposed Extension to Praya....

Total

Value after deducting cost of filling in &c., at $6 a square foot, 960,200 square feet x 86-

Area of Government ground proposed to be given up to Naval Yard at Kow-

loon in addition to present possession

425,250 square feet.

534,950

960,200

there and including Mt. Cochrane ...4,603,400 square feet.

Additional to be resumed by Government 708,592

Total

..5,311,992

Cost of resumption, viz., 708,592 square

Feet estiumted at

Leaving a surplus in cash of

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

$5,761,200

2.250,000

$8,511,200

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

C. P. CHATER.