821
forced removal from premises which they "had purchased from the Government. The Council, in taking this into consideration came to the resolution that although cleared location rent free for four years had been granted in lieu of Cash, yet the petitioners being generally poor and compelled to remove it was equitable that their rent should
Commence
on an average from January, 1846 (in lieu of a period of four years rent free) and that allowance not exceeding 40 dollars on average, should be granted to such as could be recommended as fit recipients by the Committee appointed by His Excellency Pottinger in April last. The aggregate number of decent Chinese houses being
81,
the total compensation awarded has been dollars 3,215.
Two English holders of lots in
Chungwan, whose tenures were longer than those of the Chinese, refused the compensation offered, and this question coming before the Lieutenant Governor and Council, during my absence, it was referred to the Attorney General. That Officer was of opinion that forcible possession could not be taken of the ground, and this Government at the same time were bound by Contract to give it to the new purchasers on the 12th of the current month, according to the terms of sale previous to their arrival in the Colony. It therefore appeared necessary to my mind that some compromise should be effected, and that the parties should be bought out on reasonable terms.
In pursuance of this resolution, the Council at a subsequent meeting sanctioned a compensation of 1000 Dollars to Mr. Broadhurst, and of 225 dollars to Mr. Porter.