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to risk the deterioration of the property by other parties locating upon it, while at the same time we, like most others in the Colony, anticipated an early revision of the terms of land tenure.
The impolicy of taxing land which is unsuitable for building, and employed only for ornamental purposes, at the high rates before specified, must be fully apparent from the fact that, (with the exception of the small space fronting the houses in Spring Gardens), there is not another garden in the whole town of Victoria West, notwithstanding all the recommendations of the Colonial Surgeon and others as to the benefit to be derived from the planting of trees and shrubs.
In now laying all the foregoing circumstances before your Committee, we are induced to hope that you will not merely recommend a material reduction of the annual rent upon the ground in question, but that you will also feel cause to suggest such alterations in the Land-tenure for the future, that inducement may be given to carry out the recommendation of the Colonial Surgeon in the formation of plantations and gardens. We are, &c.,
(Signed) Dent & Co.
Hongkong, November 16th, 1849.
To the Colonial Secretary.