CO129-502-5 Acquisition of Kai Tak for an aerodrome- financial arrangements 23-5-1927 - 27-10-1927 — Page 42

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Telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of

State for the Colonies.

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Dated 24th August.

(Received Colonial Office 12.35 p.m., 24th August,1927

1316 A

Secret. Your telegram of 12th August

Aerodrome resumption of proceedings having been commenced

and land entered on consider that we are morally bound

to pay cost of acquisition when amount is agreed upon.

Failing payment on demand interest would be chargeable

at 8 per cent. Amount estimated to be spent on work

exclusive of resumption prior to 31st March 1928 is dollars

1,000,000 which includes nullaks, sea wall and part of

dredging and filling. If full amount of His Majesty's

Government's share as set out in my telegram of 6th August

can be guaranteed and payment of dollars 1,200,000 made by

May next and the balance by September 1928 I should be

prepared to advance the necessary funds from balance

available after flotation of loan and from advances from

Bank. Current year's contribution from Air Ministry could

then be fixed at what inistry could afford.

Approach road though in part ultimately useful.

to this Government as a through road would not have been

undertaken except as portion of aerodrome scheme in present

state of the Colony's finances. It is essential for the

Aerodrome and the cost should be borne in the same propor-

tion as the rest of the scheme. The further resumption at

(h) in my telegram of 6th August refers to the small triangle

at the extreme north east corner of aerodrome site north of

Newkowloon Inland Lot 124 and east of New Kowloon Inl and

Lot 119 which is outside boundary of Kaitak Company's area.

It can be seen on enclosures to my despatch of 18th January

1927 Secret 2. Mention of this small corner being outside

Kaitak area was inadvertently omitted from despatch.