enquiries, but declined to bind itself to accept his
valuation.
Sir John Oakley's valuation, which was
delivered at the end of 1923, amounted to $36,983,512,
an increase on the original valuation of approximately 50% as compared with the 10% increase offered by the
Governor. After a long discussion in the Legislative
Council, the award was accepted in March 1924 under
protest, the Governor pointing out that the heavy
figures of the valuation were arrived at on the very
crest of the greatest land boom the Colony had ever
known (due to the influx into the Colony of wealthy Chinese driven from S.China by the disturbances there).
He stated that the cost of reprovisioning would fall far short of the figures of the Oakley award, the large
balance merely remaining as a debit in the Military
Lands Account which would not be worked off for many
years, if ever; and he suggested that the War Office
should waive any claim to payment in respect of lands
required for road widening, and should surrender certain sites to the Hongkong University as a free gift. Such
concessions would not cost the War Office a cent in
actual cash, and would help to alleviate the intensely
bitter feeling in the Colony against the War Office. The Army Council in September, 1924, declined however to
admit that the Oakley figures were high, and only pro-
mised to "consider" at some future date the concessions
which the Governor urged. In June 1925 the Governor
again invited the Army Council to show generosity in
this respect, pointing out that it would be politic
of them to do so in view of the existing intense
irritation against the War Office; and that although
the
Page
Page
the Colonial Government had asked for the removal of
the Military establishments, it was a fact that the
present sites were growing unsuitable, and that if
the troops were not now moved, in a few years' time
the military authorities would desire to remove for
their own purposes, and then the position would be
reversed.
As a result, the War Office agreed to
hand over free of charge the sites for the Hongkong
University, but declined to waive credit in respect
of land already handed over for road widening.
However, the boycott by Canton of
Hongkong trade made it impossible for the Colony to
find any money to finance the transfer, particularly
as the lands to be handed over by the Military had
become unsaleable; and the scheme was for the time
being abandoned. In view of the Colony's great need of ready money, the Governor asked for a refund by
the War Office of the £114,317. 18.9 overpaid in
respect of Military Contributions.
22/3/26.
age 9
age 9
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.