CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6] — Page 96

OOPY.

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Hon. Colonial Secretary,

I herewith forward a plan on which are shown,

coloured blue and pink respectively, two areas of land er fere-

shere and seabed, applied for by the Hongkong and Whampoa Deck

Co. Ltd. for the purpose of laying out additional shipbuilding

berths for the construction of steamers of large size. The Dook

Co. at present possess the intermediate area, coleured grey,

(H.H.M.L.2), having aoquired it at public auction as a Marine

Let in December 1906. In view of marine rights attaching to the

grey area, it is not possible te dispose of the blue area in any

other way then so an extensien of H.H.M.L. 3, which is let on a

99 years' lezao, renewable,

2.

H.H.M.L. 3 was held for 22 per square feet,

subject to Crown rent of $350 per more (C.S.0.3988/1906). It

comprised an area of land in addition to an area of foreshore

and sea-bed, the reclamation of which could be carried out at

comparatively low cost owing to the moderate depth of water.

The blue area now applied for is almost entirely

covered by water and, as it extends inte a considerable depth

3.

of water, the reclamation of it will be much mere costly. Having

regard to this, I consider that a premium of 15 g per square feet

would be reasonable. The Crown rent te be as for H.H.M.L. 3,

namely, $350 per acre.

With regard to the pink area, if it were treated

as a separate lot, it would have to be sold as an Inland Lot. It

consists mainly of rough hillside, but, at the north-east perner,

it extends over a small area of foreshore and sex-bed. At the

present time, it is inaccessible except by a rough path, which

traverses the hilly ground behind the Dock Ce's property, and the

construction of any read to afford reasonable access te it would

be a very costly matter. Having regard to its situation, I am of

opinion that 10 ₫ per square feet would be a reasonable price for

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