Gessirmex.—In front of the above and on the east side is an open space which for many years has, to all intents and purposes, Deen a public rod although measured into the title deed for the gardens, 'A small fence is now being erected round this sp: ce with a view, no doubt, of asserting ownership.
'The land has not been scheduled by the Council as a road widening, but I am sure they would like to have' the opportunity of acquiring it, if it could be obtained on reasonable terms.
Tshall feel much obliged, therefore, if you will communicate with beneficiary onners and Ict me know if they sre prepared to sell it t" the Council for use as public road.
Thanking you in anticipation, Yours faithfully, Engineer & Surveyor. Messrs. Dowpats, Haxsox Shanghai, 26th June, 1902, Vu Yuen Gardens, Cross Road.
Dean Sin,—We bez to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the th inst., asking us to inquire from the owner of this garden if he is prepared to sell on reasonable terms a p tion of the garden, on the East side which has lately been fenced We have communicated with the owner of the property, and after a long delay, fo eto his absence from Shanghai, we have now received his reply informing us that he would be will to sell the strip in question to th+ Cornell, at the rate of Tls. 3,000 per mow provided the land will only be used as. public road, Yours faithfully, Dowvatt, Hanson & McNen, Mayxr, Bxy., Engineer & Surveyor, Municipal Council, Shanghai, 30th June, 1902, Vu Yuen Gardens, Cross Roud, Dear Stxs,—I have to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of the 26th inst, and in' reply regret that the owner of the above garden should ask so high a price as TIs. 3,090 per mow, expecially consider-Jing that if acquired by the Council, the area which I propose the Council should acquire would be maintained as a road or open spice. I shall be ulad if you will t the owners to reconsider their think it will be found that the market value of this property is only about Tis, 2,000 per mow, and T would suggest that the benefit to the property derived from the maintenance of this area as an open space would seem to point to an amount of compensation at a less rate than this, Tshould bs prepared to recommend the Council to acquire the m. 2. 3. 2.0. of land required at the rate of Tls. 1,500 per mow, and hope you will he able to reply that suc's an offer would he accepter!.
Youcs faithfully, Engineer & Surveyor. Messrs. Downaut, Haxsox and MeNeate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.