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Memorandum by the Attorney General.
The Draft Ordinance makes provision for the Praya Re- clamation Scheme upon the first of the two alternative plans proposed, and follows very much the lines sketched out in my memorandum of July 21st, 1888.
Clauses 2 and 3 are formed on the assumption that the plans of the proposed works will be completed and deposited in the Land Office before the Ordinance is passed.
Clause 5 is intended to make it clear that owners of lots on the proposed new Praya will have no easement in res- pect of the sea in front.
The arrangements with the mariue lot-holders are pro- vided for in clause 6. I understand from the Surveyor Ge- neral that there would be no lot-holders who woudl refuse to enter into the proposed agreements, and there seems there- fore no necessity to provide any special plan for assessing and meeting the claims of such persons.
If there should turn out to be any such persons their position under the Ordinance will be simply that they will get nothing.
But if it were thought desirable to make provision under which something might be allowed them a clause of two or three lines might be added as a third paragraph to Section 6 in the following terms:-
"In case any such Crown lease-holder declines to enter "into any agreement in manner above provided he shall have no claim to any compensation in respect of any depreciation "of his lot by reason of the works to be carried out under "this Ordinance but the Governor may if he thinks fit award “to him such a sum of money or such a Crown lease of new "land as he may in his absolute discretion think sufficient as and by way of compensation for any injury that such "lot-holder may have sustained by the works."
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I understand also that the owners of the Wharf and Godown Company's wharves claim nothing except what would be covered by the grant of new land that they will receive under the ordinary agreement in respect of their marine lots and that all other wharf-owners are mere licensees who can also be provided for without compen- sation except such as they get under the schedule agree- ment in respect of their lots.
The Schedule Agreements and Plan will determine the details of the compensation that may be agreed upon and will settle the area of land to be given as additions to existing lots and the amount of premium if any and rent to be paid.
August 1st, 1888.
EDWARD L. O'MALLEY.