last month on the subject of a location applied for by Messrs Jardine Matheson to in line of that which has been resumed, in the Cantonment, by Government.
You
In reply I am directed to remind you that Government has not the power under the express Instructions of Her Majesty The Queen to grant or dispose of land except by Public Auction, and therefore, as you state that the lot elected by Messrs Jardine Matheson is rather more than double the size of the one resumed, it results that they
can only possess themselves of the extra quantity by purchasing it at the next sale of land.
Had it been optional, the Governor in Council would have gladly acceded to the wishes of those Gentlemen in this instance,
but exclusive of there being no alternative under Her Majesty's Commands, but selling Land by public auction, there has been so much bickering and ill feeling displayed already on this subject that it is considered the best course for Messrs Jardine Matheson to buy the land publicly and thereby to obviate the chance of their right to it being questioned at some future day.
You have omitted to state the classes of the locations returned and wanted and are to state them on this report and all future occasions.
I have to
(Signed) Richard Wombwell
No:185
J. Edward P. Coffin
Commissary General
Victoria, Hongkong.