CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914 — Page 175

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With respect to Mr. Chatham's answer to the

above letter which he forwarded to the Government of Hongkong, I beg to state that I differ entirely from the

and to my mind it is entirely inaccurate.

game,

I pointed out, with other facts, that the value of the site for this building was say # 22.50 per square foot, Mr. Chatham however, described this as absurd and even stated the value was # 5. to # 2. per foot;

it is,

however,

a fact that on Mr. Chatham's advice, the Government of Hongkong paid $ 20.00 per foot for the land on which the New Post Office Building is erected, although it is general- ly accepted that the site of the New Law Courts is far superior in value.

Among other inaccuracies I would instance Mr. Chatham's balance sheet which was wrong to the extent of some $ 20,000.00 when submitted to the Government.

This matter with others was returned to him for explanations, and it is a fact that the file was with him for a lengthy period when it was recalled to submit same to H.E. the Governor (Sir Frederick Lugard.)

As far as I am aware Mr. Chatham has never answer-

ed the questions then raised.

I have to request that, a copy of my letter of the 20th July, 1911, to the Hon: Colonial Secretary of Hongkong, together with enclosures and also a copy of Mr. Chatham's reply as well as official minutes relating thereto be submitted to you.

The value of Mr

·

Chatham's reply may be gauged

by the two instances cited above, but if further information

is desired I shall be pleased to supply it.