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328 cost of £15,318 spread over many years), the erection of a number of water tanks (1855) and the completion (in 1857) of two Police Stations (Central and Westpoint Stations) and four new Markets. But the projected Praya and particularly its proposed name aroused determined opposition. Sir John's scheme had the support of an official Commission appointed by him to weigh all the objections which could be urged against it, and he assiduously hoarded the surplus funds of several years to provide the means for carrying out his pet scheme. The scheme was published (November 10, 1855) with the announcement that the Governor had power to enforce it under the alternative, offered to unwilling lot-holders, of resumption according to terms of lease. Most of the Chinese lot-holders appeared to be willing to come to terms with the Government, but a public meeting of European owners passed (December 5, 1855) resolutions to the effect that the Governor's plan was defective and inadequate as a public measure, onerous upon individuals and infringing on the rights of holders of marine-lots. The opposition view thus formulated was ably maintained and put before the Colonial Office by the Hon. J. Dent with the support of the other unofficial Members of Council. The Governor's contention was that many marine-lot holders had, for years past, recovered from the sea and appropriated to their own use, against the rights of the Crown, land measuring 298,685 square feet which had been arbitrarily superadded to the respective leases granting in the aggregate other 260,326 square feet. The owners of marine-lots, having thus doubled their respective properties, were naturally opposed to a scheme intended to re-establish the rights of the Crown. However, the Secretary of State (Mr. Labouchere), after considering the objections raised by Mr. Dent, decided against the marine-lot holders and instructed the Governor to proceed with the reclamation work as soon as the needful funds were available. The Chinese owners of marine-lots consented (in 1857) to reclaim, under Government supervision, and to pay rent for A large portion of the Praya in front of their holdings. As