CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 421

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bare minimum of round necessary to deal with the

comparatively modest requirements of the present day.

It is for these reasons that I put forward a suggestion

for the acquisition of the whole of the Kai Tak

reclamation area (coloured buff on the plan). kuch

of the work of reclamation has yet to be done, but it is

in my view necessary to regain complete control of the whole area, retaining the power to carry out further

reclamation as circumstances may demand.

12.

The

The time for negotiating with the Kai Tak

Company is not inopportune. The Company is in some financial difficulties, and would probably welcome a release from its liabilities and responsibility.

Canton boycott and its effect upon "on-kong have made matters no easier for the Corpany, while the fall in land values, resulting in some degree from the fact

that building progress seems now to have satisfied the demand, makes it very improbable that the Company can hope for much success in the reasonably near future by the continuation of the original programme of

reclamation and development.

13. On the other hand, I confess to a complete faith in the future of the Colony, and in the expanding development of the Kowloon Peninsula,

In due time

land on the reclamation will be in demand, and such

areas as experience may by then have proved unnecessary

for the purposes of the acrodrome will be readily

disposed of. The presence of the aerodrome itself, and

the consequent developments required in the vicinity will also tend to an appreciation of land values

throughout the district.

14.

The sum required for putting this suggestion

6.