CO129-523-1 Reclamation work at North Point- a general plan of port of Hong Kong showing extent... 27-12-1929 - 12-6-1930 — Page 29

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been sufficient for Mr. Kwik's immediate purposes and

that considerable pressure was used to induce him to

alter the design to a vertical sea wall so as to

conform with the contemplated reclamation eastward

of his lots. Mr. Fletcher, in his minute of

13.10.23, which contains a note of the substantial

agreement reached, states that "The Government took

up the position that the vertical wall must be

constructed" (the underlining is mine). One can

only guess at what was said at the various interviews

which took place, but probably Mr. Kwik was

eventually induced to agree to the vertical wall by

two considerations:-

(a) He obtained at last the coveted

(b)

"blue" area, and at $1.50 a foot. He hoped to obtain a more advantageous

development of his lots by falling in

with the design of the contemplated

reclamation eastward.

The second consideration has hitherto proved illusory

and seems likely to do so for many years to come.

The position therefore is that, as a consequence of pressing invitation by the Government, Mr. Awik, by

largely increased expenditure, has acquired something

which he was quite prepared to do without and which is

of no use to him at present, though it is an asset of

considerable potential value. These circumstances

seem to call for a compromise.

10.

On Mr. Kwik's figures the financial position

as