CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6] — Page 272

N°

139.

Sir,

C.0

271

34012

REC

Rec. 11 JUL 18

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 15th. May, 1918.

I have the honour to forward a copy of a

report by the Director of Public Works regarding a complaint by Mr. J. C. Mackay, Land Bailiff, to the effect that the working of the Government Stone Quarry is causing damage to his property in its vicinity.

2.

A house in the immediate neighbourhood,

belonging to Mr. T. J. Richards, Overseer in the Public Works Department, is similarly affected.

3.

It is undoubtedly the case that the

quarrying operations do detrimentally affect the properties in question; and the omers, if they brought the matter before the Courts, would probably recover damages.

4.

Both houses are suitable as residences for Government Servants; and Mr. Mackay and Mr. Richards are prepared to sell for $13,000 and £7,000 respectively, which prices the Director of Public Works reports to be in these circumstances reasonable. I therefore propose, subject to your covering authority, to insert the sum of $20,000 in the Estimates for 1919 for the purchase of these properties.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Governor,&c..

RIGHT HONOURABLE

WALTER LONG, M.P.,

kc.,

&c..

&c. ..