Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 628

624

No. 1914.

SIR,

( 10 )

Appendix A.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 20th September, 1895.

I am directed by the Governor to enquire when the report of the Committee appointed by His Excellency the Governor in September of last year to consider the question of new Government Offices may be expected.

2. His Excellency's attention has been directed to certain references to the proceedings of the Committee which have appeared at intervals in the Local Press, but is not aware how far the views therein attributed to the Committee are correctly stated.

3. As the matter is a pressing one and an early decison in regard to the pre- liminaries is desirable, I am to request that the Committee will be good enough to report at its early convenience, and, in view of the recent statements in the Press, with special reference to the following points :-

(1) Whether the Committee is in favour of the plans, &c. being prepared by the Director of Public Works, and, if so, whether it will be sufficient for such plans to be approved in the first instance by the Committee and subsequently by the Public Works Committee of the Legislative Council, or whether they should be submitted to a competent authority at home, or

(2) Whether the Committee is in favour of inviting public competition, and awarding a premium for the most suitable plans and designs for the proposed new buildings.

4. Should the Committee be in favour of the latter course it will be necessary to consider-

(a) The amount of the premium to be offered.

(b) The terms of competition.

(c) The appointment of an Umpire at home, or of a local Committee to adjudge upon the competitive designs, and I am to request that

the Committee will bear these points in mind in drawing up their

report.

5. I am further to invite the attention of the Committee to the financial side of the question. It will not be possible at present to defray any large expenditure on the proposed new buildings from current revenue, and if the work is not to be delayed it will apparently be necessary to raise funds from some independent

source.

His Excellency the Governor would therefore be obliged if the Committee would further consider and report on the desirability and practicability of disposing of the sites, buildings, &c. of the present Government Offices in Queen's Road at as early a date as possible, the Government to remain in occupation as tenants until the completion of the new buildings.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Colonial Secretary.

The Secretary,

GOVERNMENT OFFICES COMMITTEE,