Government; that of this fact the purchasers were aware at the time of purchase; and that Her Majesty's Government has recently, in consequence of complaint from the landowners themselves,
1, given permission to all who may choose to avail themselves thereof, for the extension of the term of lease from 75 to 999 years
6.
His Excellency directs me to offer another subject for your consideration and opinion, namely, whether it would not be for the real interest of the Colony, which His Excellency cannot but regard as identical with the interest of the Government, to reserve in all future land sales a portion only of the price in the form of rental, the competition at the public sales being made to turn, not on the amount of rent alone, but in some measure on the premiums offered for what would in fact be a beneficial lease.
Letter from Mr. A. Campbell, forming Enclosure No. 2
305
I enclose, for your information, extracts of Despatches from Lord Grey and from the Colonial Government, which will serve to show the views of the authorities here and at home on certain of the points which you have to consider, and I call your attention to the letter from a gentleman resident in the Colony annexed to Governor Bonham's Despatch No. 18 of 14 February, 1849.
8.
The Surveyor General shall be directed to give you all the information which he may be able to afford; and, on your application, the Heads of other Departments to which you may find it necessary to have recourse for information shall receive similar instructions.
I have, &c.,
(signed) B. Caine
Colonial Secretary.
To Wm. T. Bridges, Esq., &c., &c.
Colonial Secretary's Office