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2.
The main points on which the Conference could not a with General Sir J.S. Fowler are -
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
(e)
(f)
(g)
They could not accept the .11, 291,446 figure as to the valuation of War Department property which it was proposed to hand over to the Colonial Goverment at Hong Kong.
Lieut. General Sir G.M.Kirkpatrick considered that this was very much under-estimated, and recommended that an independent valuer should go out to Hong Kong and value the whole of the property.
The terms of the Colonial Office Circular Despatch drawn up on 30th December 1894, between the Home Government and Colonial Government would not be departed from if such action was taken. This procedure is explicity allowed for in the tems. The Conference agreed to this proposal.
It was unanimously agreed that whatever accommodati the Colonial Goverment wished to take over from the War Department the former was to re-provide in its entirety, at the same time agreeing to re-provide such buildings with all modern conveniences and up to date in every way, also all means of communication, e.g. roads, etc., were to be provided at the same time.
They cannot agree to the principles contained in para.4. of General Sir J.8. Fowler's letter. The land it is proposed to hand over to the Colonial Government is undoubtedly much more valuable than the land it was proposed to get in return. Under no circumstances should it be a level exchange.
This was agreed to.
They could not agree to the Pinewood area (refers para.6, of General Sir J. 5. Fowler's letter) being sold to the Colonial Government at the same price it was bought at in 1903.
The independent valuer, when he values all property should also revalue this area up to the present day basis,
This was agreed to.
They could not agree that the apparent debt of 2114,317.18.9., due to the Colonial Government, should be taken into consideration when considering this scheme, and it was proposed that the Treasury should be consulted.
This was agreed to,
As regards the advisability or otherwise of opening a special Surrender Aocount, the Conference agreed that there was no objection in principle to this,
As regards execution of Work, this question the Conference considered should be further investigated e.c. Whether W.D. or Colonial Government should execut or not.
Hr. Beckett said he understood that the Colonial Office would be consulted before action was taken on the above decisions,
lemorandum D.
The Conference could not agree to para. 2. of the Governor's letter.
The War Department would require more than the break-up value of the buildings.
Memorandum E.
Lieut. General Sir G..Kirkpatrick raised, four points -
(1) Reference para, 9
239
It was proposed that the surrender of the Pinewood Battery, if the new proposals in these minutes were accepted by the Colonial Government, should be proceeded with at once and subject to the Colonial Government agreeing to accept for the purpose of the Colonial Military Lands Account an independent valuation based upon current values. This was agreed to.
(2) Lieut. General Sir G.l.Kirkpatrick said that he would advise that the existing Military Focpital should not be surrendered, or any steps taken to find a Lew site until it had be en decided where the whole garrison would ultimately be housed, This question could then be considered independently. This was agreed to,
(3) Lieut.General Sir G.M.Kirkpatrick said that, before any alternative sites were taken over which the Colonial Government proposed to offer to the War Department, a Board of Officers on which the Principal Medical Officer was represented should agree that such sites were healthy in every way.
No acceptance of alternative sites should be agreed before such assurance was received from the Board above referred to a: the conclusions accepted by the G.0.0. This was agreed to.
(4) He advised that the British Battalion should not come to Gun Club Hill until the accommodation for the Indian Battalion surrendered had been replaced.
Memorandum E.
The question of the provision of a Soldiers' Club on the South Side of queen's Road, Victoria, opposite the Naval Terrace was then discussed.
Colonel McHardy proposed that the War Department or Admiralty should negotiate for the site with the Colonial Office The cost of the building being met partly by $200,000 (being an estimate of the compensation to be received for the
xisting Naval Club, the property of the China Fleet) and Partly by a grant from the Canteen's Central funds, held by the
my Council,
Colonel McHardy
(h)
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