CO129-544-14 Proposed public park in Kowloon- question of Chinese jurisdiction in city area 9-8-1933 - 9-8-1933 — Page 40

- 3-

40

!

investigated conditions in Kowloon City.

There are 64 houses

These

(including wooden structures) with 436 inhabitants. people are generally farmers, hawkers, masons and coolies and their activities are confined to the markets in the vicinity of Kowloon City. If they move to Kau Shut Ling, the district

is very distant from the markets and the livelihood of these

people will be greatly affected.

Besides, all the residents in Kowloon City are

poor people without any savings. The present orders require them to move to Kau Shut Ling where houses are to be construo

The District ufficer ted at the cost of not less than $500. for the Southern District, however, only grants to the resi- dents compensation ranging from a few tens of dollars to $200. Though these residents are nominally given land and asked to move their residences, they have actually no means with which to build houses. The result will be that these people will be

rendered workless and homeless.

As relations between China and Great Britain

have all along been cordial, it does not seem that the con- straction of a public park of a small scale should cause dis- putes over Treaties and create misery for hundreds of people. Should the Hongkong Government intend to introduce measures for the promotion of sanitation and peace in Kowloon City, the Chinese Government will certainly be ready to take up discus-

sions most heartily.

I have, therefore, the honour to write you as above

and to request you to transmit our request to the Hongkong Government to cancel the decision requiring the removal of the Kowloon City residents for the promotion of cordial relations.

I have the honour to request the favour of a reply.

I have, etc., etc.,

KAN CHIEH-HOU.

Inspector-General of Foreign Affairs

for 5 Provinces.

Page 40Page 41

encli to

H. Kong C