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A-That I cannot say,
Mr. CALTHROP:-And you think this silting up must have affected the value of the property?
A-Certainly it did.
Q-Was there less interference as the work progressed?
A-I should say not.
Q-You say there was silting in front of the Godowns?
A-There was silting in front of the Godowns.
Q-And you consider that the Reclamation works were a benefit to the Go-
downs?
A-No, certainly not.
Q-Now in 1897, when this reclaimed land was sold for $3 per font, if it had been land which had been thoroughly reclaimed for some time, you say it would be worth $3.50?
A-I should say $3.50. You have got to allow the ground time to settle.
HIS EXCELLENCY (referring to Messrs. Palmer & Turner's Report) :— In your Report you valued the land when reclaimed at $2.75?
A-Yes. It would take certainly a year or two years for the land to settle. Old land already settled is certainly worth more. That $2.75 valuation was made for a man named Deacon who wanted to purchase the ground. It is usual to make a higher valuation when valuing on behalf of a seller, and lower valuations when valuing on behalf of a buyer.
Q-You know what this property sold for after the Reclamation?
A-Yes.
Q Did you consider the price a fair one?
A-I thought that a very fair sale at the time.
Q-If that property had a Marine front at that time would it have sold for more ?
A-Certainly it would.
Q-If it had been on the old Marine Front without the New Praya, what would it have been worth?
A-I should say $3.50.
Q-What difference did you make between the valuation of land which is an Inland Lot and land which has a Marine Front?
A-I make $2 a foot.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:-You do not agree with Mr. Orange putting the value at $5?
A-I do not know about Mr. Orange's valuation.
Q. What value would you put upon the land itself as it is this present year ?
A--We actually valued it during the last few weeks at $3.50 per foot, as it is now as an Inland Lot. In 1898 we valued it at $1.50, and in 1905 I valued it at $3.50.
Q-Do you know of a Godown further on-Sharp's Godown?
No comments yet.
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