Starling - which is altogether preposterous and inadmissible.
Government will adopt steps to find out from various sources the produce of Rice lands in this part of China and the gross worth of that produce - You are requested to do the same and likewise to ascertain the lowest rate per Mow at which the owners of the ground in the above named vallies will be willing to transfer the whole to Government.
settled, it will be easy to fix the rent that should be taken for it so long as they may be allowed to cultivate it with vegetables which will of course depend on the demand that may hereafter arise for its appropriation to Building.
No:109
out to day 703
It is hardly necessary to point out that the purchase money per Mow will have at some future day to be added to the ground Rent to be paid by the Colonists to Government and this fact renders it doubly requisite that the greatest caution and full inquiry should be taken and instituted before final decision is made on the matter under discussion.
(Signed) Richard. Hooman.
A.J. Gordon, Land Officer, &c.,
Victoria, Hongkong, 18 March, 1844
In