CO129-573-9 Kowloon Golf Club- alternative site 20-6-1938 - 28-10-1938 — Page 18

2.

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on 1st September, 1939. It has been pointed out informally

to the Club authorities that any claim which they may wish

to make for compensation for the course and buildings should

be addressed to the Military Authorities on which permit the

site is held, and not to this Government. It appears that

such a claim on the Military Authorities has very little

chance of success.

4.

Since

It is felt that in the circumstances this

Club deserves some measure of sympathy from this Government

and it has been proposed that the Club should acquire a

suitable new site near Razor Hill, on which to construct

a course and club house. It is, however, necessary to obtain the surrender of certain privately-owned lands within this area before a permit can be granted.

the use of the land as a club golf course cannot be

considered to be a public purpose, the land cannot be

compulsorily resumed and it will be necessary to negotiate

with the present holders of the land. The present

membership of the Club is about 200 but it is not possible

for the Club to raise sufficient money to cover the cost

to the Government of obtaining surrenders of the land

and also the cost of the buildings and laying out the

golf course, which is an expensive matter.

5.

I have, therefore, with the advice of my

Executive Council approved the draft terms as set out in the attached Memorandum subject to your approval.

These terms are acceptable to the Club.

6.

It will be seen that Clause (b) of the

Memorandum provides for the expenditure by this Government of a sum not exceeding $50,000 for the purpose of obtaining the surrender of privately-owned land in the area to be granted to the Club, and that by Clause (f) the Club will

pay