CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924 — Page 19

MINUTES.

MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.

STION

Any further communication should be addressed to:-

The Secretary of the Admiralty,

London, B.W. 1.

«C.E.in C.

2912/24/20B.

queting

5.0

33098

11

18

L.P.-No. 8.

14 JUL 24dmiralty, S.W. 1.

12t

July,

1924.

74864

Sir,

Gw

شوف

With reference to your letter of the 14th June 1924, No.27650/1924, relative to the proposal of the Colonial Government of Hong Kong, to reclaim an area of sea bed fronting Admiralty property at Kowloon; I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the action of the Colonial Government in notifying the Commodore, Hong Kong, of the proposals and stating that plans will be forwarded for information raises a very important question of principle, inasmuch as it seems clear that the Colony take the view that it is within their right to curry out such reclamation without the consent of the Admiralty,

2. My Lords are unable to uscent to this view as They consider that They are entitled to water access to the land

In this on which the proposed reclamation would abut. connection I am to point out that the leasehold interest in the land (Kowloon Marine Lot No. 36 } which adjoins the area under. discussion, was purchased by the Admiralty in 1903 for .289,200, the freehold interest being acquized from the Colonial Government in 1908 for #.12,650 viz. at a total cost of over 2.30,000 for an area of la. 2r. 25p, such price being based presumably on its water frontage value.

3. Apart from this however, as already pointed out in Admiralty letter of the 24th May 1924, CEin0.2913/24/14A, the scheme would deprive the Navy of existing water frontage and prevent any possible extension seaward of the Kowloon Depot. While existing obligations preclude any extension at present, it is impossible to forecast the necessities of the future or what Naval requirements may develop, and on broad grounds of policy My Lords are therefore unable to agree to the Colonial Government's proposals.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

The Under Secretary of State,

COLONIAL OFFICE,

S.W.1.

V.WA

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Pi