Letter from Mace to Schaeffer on expropriationsC Mace

[printed: CYPRUS GOVERNMENT ... DEPT. OF ANTIQUITIES] (partly illegible, top edge creased)

Nicosia, 15th May, 1947.

Director of Antiquities,

With reference to your letter 36/36 of the 9th May 1947, I note that two owners have accepted the valuation by this Department which works out at about £13 per donum. I also note that the owners of another plot claim at the rate of £24 per donum. This suggests to me that the claim of £30 per donum for the remainder of the land is extortionate. That being so, I am inclined to think that it would be wise to make use of compulsory powers to acquire the land. The procedure for compulsory aquisition provides for negotiations between the Commissioner and the owners as to the compensation to be paid after the land has vested in the Government. I would not however recommend you to make strenuous efforts at this stage to reach agreement but I should allow the matter to go to arbitration and if necessary to the Court. If this is done, the owners should feel, and I think will feel, that their claims have had a fair hearing and that they have not been subjected to unreasonable pressure. I believe that as a consequence you will not lose the good will either of these owners or of the village in general.

2. I have verified that the quality of the land belonging to those owners who have accepted our valuation is much the same as the other land which you wish to acquire.

(sgd.) C.Mace

Director of I.A. & Surveys.