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and commenced building, the adjoining land had not been apportioned into lots, and the said Mr. Gordon also assured him that when the said land was allotted out into suburban lots, and that it would be in larger building lots, such apportionments would not be allowed to interfere with his right of way, nor would his privileges as first settler be encroached upon.
That at the time there were no buildings in the neighbourhood of any description, and that the Chinese Town was then located in what now forms the centre of the Town of Victoria, and a considerable distance from the said Inland Lot No. 444.
That, subsequently, to wit on July 1844, the Chinese Town was, in accordance with the Government Notification to that effect, removed from its former site to Exi-ping-shaw, where it at present remains.
That the said Inland Lot No. 444 is situated right in the middle of the present Chinese Town, and that the said Thomas M. Wright, deceased, having valuable buildings erected thereon, and which he had occupied with his family as a residence for two or 9 years; was, when the land in Taipingshaw was put up for auction by the Government, forced to purchase the respective lots bounding his property on each side, in order to preserve the valuable buildings aforesaid from depreciation, as if he had not done so, there would have been Chinese houses within three feet of the door and windows of his said residence, and also he would have had to pull down the house, as the entrance to it was through the lots adjoining, which, consequently, he was obliged to buy.
That, although at the time he bought the said lot No. 444, it was well worth the ground rent payable with the adjoining lots No. 143, 143a and 205, yet now it, together with them, are so depreciated in value, that the whole of the said 3 lots, although they have been improved upon at an immense expense, and added to the residence aforesaid, are commonly known (collectively) as the Brook Cottage property, will not, owing to the disagreeable vicinity of the Chinese houses, let for the annual ground rent.
That the ground rent payable annually on the said lots Nos. 444, 205, 143 and 143a amounts to £. 91.7.
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