January–June 1936

COPY

The Director of Antiquities to B.H.Hill. Handwritten.

DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES CYPRUS 29th May,1935.

Dear Dr. Hill,

The Colonial Secretary has written explaining the position about purchase of land at Curium as I described it to you in conversation; except that I omitted to mention that the land could be acquired under Section 12 of the old law as an ancient monument. It is felt however that it will be simpler to proceed under the new law, if the delay will not cause inconvenience to you; which it should not.

I am directed to convey to you an expression of the appreciation of the Government of your proposal to purchase the land and to present it eventually to the Government. And I am requested to ascertain how much you would be prepared to spend in connection with the acquisition of the property.

I am not clear about the meaning of the last request as I told them that you had offered 12s a donum, the L.R.O. valuation being 10s, and I thought they were content. Perhaps they would like it in writing; so, if you think that is what they want, you can write and say so to me and I will write to them.

Yours sincerely,

J.R.Hilton, D.Ant.

MEMO of reply to above, dated 20th June 1935.

offer made to owners an advance of 20 percent on official valuation,

i.e. £32:17:7 for lot No.45 (Registered value £27:7:7) £ 46 ( 41:17:7) £ 50:: 5:: the part (ca.60*donums) of lot No.4 included within the limits of the Ancient Monument "Site of Curium" £ 36:: 0:0 ca. £119: 2:6 Say £120.

"We shall be prepared to contribute "this sum to the cost of expropriation of the three lots".

Suggest that delay in initiating expropriation proceedings better not be great.

*Note 24/4/36: This estimate proved to be rather high.The official figure is 52 donums 2 Ev. 1200 sq.ft.

COPY of Typewritten note DIR. of ANTIQUITIES to B.H.Hill.

20th of January,1936 ...... I am directed to forward the enclosed copy of Gazette notice for your information. I am glad the matter is got going at last and that you will apparently be in possession of the land by the 15th February. ......