seeing that the district had become the centre of the European quarter, Sir Henry Pottinger determined that it would be very advisable for the interests of the community that the Chinese should be removed, so as to prevent as much as possible, their being mixed with Europeans. Accordingly the land was divided into lots and put up to sale by auction, in the month of January 1841, and notice was given purchasers that possession would be given on the 22 instant.
A Committee was then appointed by Sir Henry Pottinger, consisting of Major Caine, Mr. Gutzlaff and Mr. Gordon, to consider the place where the Chinese on their removal, were to be located, and the mode in which they were to be compensated for the loss their removal would inflict on them.
By their Report dated the 20th of April last, they recommended that a site should be allotted to them at Yapingsha, - a point where a considerable Chinese population had already settled, that the ground should be prepared and levelled, and the streets marked out for them, and that they should be permitted to remove the materials of their present houses. They further suggested that a sum should be paid to each resident house-holder, who in addition to all arrears of rent being remitted, was to be allowed to hold the land rent-free for 5 years, from next December.
These suggestions, except as to the amount of compensation, which was undecided, were approved by Sir Henry Pottinger.
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