had already actually paid for, found it necessary to bid for each lot, and which were accordingly knocked down to him at low rates, owing to competition.
The remainder of the original lot, (now No. 51), was permitted to be held by us, pending the decision of the Committee which he appointed to investigate claims. As that Committee recommended*, as we had built extensively, that we should be permitted to retain it, which His Excellency was pleased to confirm; actually expended so he directed that the land, instead of being classed as suburban, should be placed on the list of town lots, and be chargeable with enhanced rent accordingly.
* Amount expended $20,000, vide Blue Book, pp. 406.
The consequence of all these proceedings is, that for land and a small Bungalow for which we bonâ fide purchased and paid £5,000, as we have now to pay nearly $40,000, an annual rent to Government, amounting to $410.4.61 equal to about £110. and this too, while the Buildings upon the two lots No. 51 & 137 are not appropriated to Trade but consist of a Family Residence and Stables only, surrounded by a Garden, and the lots 134, 135 and 136 had a few shops, which were built in order to conform to the wishes of the Government, that there should be houses on both sides of Wellington Street. This property is not likely to pay its original cost with interest.
Your Committee may probably consider that we might have refrained from bidding for the lots put up to sale; but in reply to this it is stated that, as a very large sum had been expended upon Building, and laying out the ground according to its original dimensions, we were reluctant