January–June 1936

9 Plutarch Street, Athens,

May 5 1936Dear Mr. Cacoyannis,

I hand you herewith copy of a letter sent to-day in reply to a letter dated April 29th received from Mr.P.Dikaios, Acting Director of Antiquities. A copy of his letter follows:

No. 3/35 Department of Antiquities, Cyprus. 29th April,1936.

B.H.Hill, Esq, 9 Plutarch Street, Athens.

Dear Sir,

With reference to previous correspondence on the subject, I beg to inform you that the estimate of the Commissioner of Limassol for the whole property of a fair price is a total of £330. A complication however is the fact that the land under registration No.1451 together with other land is mortgaged to the extent of £302.8.0. The only way is to apply to the Court basing the claim on £330.

2. In view of the total amount [handwritten: £XXX] available to be £180 shall I proceed or you will consider further?

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) [handwritten: P.Dikaios]

Ag/D/Antiquities.

I hope that the necessary newsteps in the matter of acquisition of the land will have been taken before Mr.Dikaios has my reply to his letter. Mine to him of April 24th had, I think, really answered all the questions he asks or implies in the new letter.

I find it hard to understand the repeated reference to difficulties due to the mortgage of plot No.4. Can the Government expropriate only property held under a clear title? Does the construction of a highroad have to stop if a needed piece of land happens to be mortgaged or its title sub judice? In any case there is no likelihood that the Agent of Efkaf, holding the mortgage on Lot No.4, will make difficulties even if legal grounds can be found for making them. The records show that when the loan was made lot No.4 (Reg.No.1451,LR.O.) represented about one seventy-fifth of the security. Very likely with changes in values since 1923 it is now regarded as constituting a somewhat greater share of the security for the mortgage -- I should think one twentieth the maximum. If the price set proves to be, say, £40 I should imagine that the Efkaf Agency would release the mortgage on the lot on payment, against the loan, of £20 or £30, but it would not matter to us if the whole £40 were claimed.

In April when the inspector and agricultural experts visited Curium I provided transportation. I should be glad if you would do the same for me when they go again. If the visit is by a taxi rather than by bus it takes less time, can be arranged as convenient, and is consequently likely to be made more promptly. The plan you have from me might be of use to them. It is, I think, accurate

Yours very truly,