CO129-313 - Governor Sir Blake - 1902 [10-12] — Page 525

}

520

to the fact that the delay of almost 3 years in this trans-

action has cost the War Office the premium of the land which

reckoned at 273 cents the Square Foot would have amounted

to $373,044.92. It has cost the Colony the loss of a Crown

Rental of $10,900 per annum as well as of Assessed Taxes on

land and buildings. Finally it has cost the Company their

opportunity and the Admiralty the use of a fine Dock.

6.

The delay was due primarily to the

Admiralty demands for if the land had reverted to the Colony

in the regular way, the Colonial Goverment unhampered by a

triangular negotiation would have had no difficulty to coming

to terms with the Dock Company and the Dock would in all pro-

bability have been by this time far advanced towards completion.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

Huvij

Governor, &c...

P.S. I enclose a report from the "Hongkong Daily

Press of the 9th. instant giving an account of the Dock

Company's Meeting referred to in paragraph 1.

bnclosure 2.