ought not to be obtained for Private Grounds. On general grounds, therefore, we could not recommend the confirmation of the Grants of this kind already made, except subject to the payment of the
rent. But as other lots of that same description were sold about the same time, it may possibly be the case that on account of the want of all European Residences on first opening the Settlement, the Government considered
that it ought to provide its Officers with some facilities for lodging themselves; and that instead of building Houses for them and offering them for their use at a moderate rate, ... it may be deemed more convenient to encourage the Officers themselves
214 to make the Buildings. But on this supposition we still think that the rent obtained on other similar lands should form a charge on these lots, the Officers being merely excused from payment of it for such a number of years as should be calculated to indemnify them for their outlay on the House; and that if it be purchased in the interval by the Government, the amount of rent accrued for the years that had elapsed should be deducted from the price.
We ought perhaps while on this subject, to notice the circumstance that Sir Henry Pottinger in his letter of the 25th of May 1842 grants Hm. Johnston