Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 356

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It will therefore be necessary to know what the sewerage scheme for this pro- posed reclamation is to be.

West Point. A great improvement could, I think, be made at this point by extending the new Praya so as to gradually coincide with the Praya opposite Messrs. Musso & Co.'s Godowns below the nullah.

Colonial Secretary's Letter, Condition III-With such apparent financial benefits to the Government both in the present and in the future, I do not think this condition should be strictly enforced, particularly having regard to the sanitary measures I have mentioned before.

Width of Praya.-I note that the road to be formed on the site of the present Praya is to be 75 feet wide, and the new Praya is also to be 75 feet wide, I would beg to suggest that for all practical purposes a road on the side of present Praya of 70 feet wide would be quite sufficient, and that the new Praya be 60 feet wide, thus making each new Lot 170 feet deep in the place of 150 feet.

In conclusion I would beg to suggest that the whole line of the Praya having been divided into sections on the Government Plan, the marine lot-owners at the Meeting to be held on Saturday, the 17th instant, do appoint a thoroughly repre- sentative Committee, the members of which shall be taken from those having in- terests in the various sections shewn on the Government Plan, and that this Com- mittee shall take into consideration the various points raised at the Meeting, and communicating with the Government, obtain a modification of the conditions speci- fied in the letter of the Colonial Secretary.

I beg to remain, Dear Sir,

Honourable C. P. CHATER.

No. 1781.

Yours faithfully,

F. W. CROSS,

Manager.

(6.)

(Colonial Secretary to Mr. Chater.)

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 18th November, 1887.

SIR,

Adverting to your letter of the 6th ultimo, on the subject of the proposed Praya Reclamation, I am directed by the Governor to request you to convey to the Chinese marine lot-owners His Excellency's regret at his inability to meet the whole of their views and wishes, as expressed in the Resolutions which you forwarded.

The Governor would, however, be prepared to make concessions on the following points

Resolution 2.-His Excellency will adopt your suggestion, and allow the Contractors' first calls for payment on account of work executed, to be met from the preliminary deposit fund, until the latter is exhausted, on the understanding in respect of subsequent payments that any lot-owner failing to meet the calls of the Government for the balance of the moneys due by him shall forfeit his rights to the reclamation.

Resolution 3.---The Governor consents to the proposed new Praya roadway being reduced to a width of 65 feet.