January–June 1936

9 Plutarch Street, Athens,

February 1, 1936J. R. Hilton Esq., Director of Antiquities, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Dear Mr.Hilton,

Your note of January 20th reached me yesterday with the enclosed copy of Gazette notice dated 16th January 1936 directing the acquisition, by purchase or expropriation, of the area included in the Ancient Monument "Site of Curium" -- plots Nos. 45, 58 and 59, entire, and Nos. 4, 46 and 55, in part, of L.R.S. sheet LVIII-4. It is a satisfaction to know that the site will be legally at our disposal from the 15th of February.

As I did not see the new Antiquities Law in its later and final stages, I was somewhat surprised at the terms of the Gazette notice, having expected the expropriation to be in the name of the Government or of the Department of Antiquities. There is, however, so far as we are concerned no harm in acquisition of the land in the name of the "Excavator" unless we are expected to bear the whole cost whatever it may prove to be. This may, of course, be more than the 12 shillings per donum (or roughly £120) which, you will recall, I named in answer to your inquiry concerning the amount we should be prepared to contribute. (I have in fact been intending to ask you not to hold us to the full contribution named, that is not to let the offer apply to plot No.45 except in case the Department is able to relieve us of part, at least, of the cost of the building constructed to protect the mosaics in that plot.)

The direct negotiations contemplated in the notice have been undertaken only with regard to plots Nos. 4, 45 and 46, and have been brought to a clear issue only in the case of No. 4. It will be expected, will it not, that there shall be a trial of direct negotiation in all the other cases even though this cannot be completed before February 15th?

Messrs McFadden and Daniel plan to return to Cyprus soon -- both are now in Greece -- and I hope to be there again shortly after March 1st. Mr McFadden, as Treasurer of the Expedition, can perhaps make a beginning of negotiation about the land, but I imagine that he will prefer to leave it to me to report any failure to reach an agreement. I should be very glad to have a copy of the Antiquities Law if you can conveniently cause one to be sent me.

Sincerely yours,

Handwritten: signature