388
my case into
your
consideration, with a
view to the reduction of the ground rent
to the upset price.
If this be done I shall be able to retain the lot and pay the rent
regularly; otherwise, I shall be obliged
to abandon the lot with all the improvements
upon it and seek my living
in another
country.
I have, &c.,
(Signed in Chinese) (how
loan.
Main
Colonial Secretary
(Copy)
(Letter 14).
To the Committee
appointed to investigate the Land Claims of Hongkong
Hongkong, 21st January, 1850.
Gentlemen,
I beg leave to lay before you the following statements having reference to Inland Lot No. 101 bought
at the Land sale in 1842, for
which I pay a yearly rent of £59.6.10. This
is nearly double the upset price, caused principally by the biddings of Mr. Patrick Stewart of Macao. Several lots adjoining
mine were knocked down
to Mr. Stewart at
high
rates,
the rent
of which
are paid to Government,
and they
remain
unimproved.
The lot No. 101 is on the hill side, was
very rocky
and uneven,
having a
water
course running
through its centre, and cost upwards of $4,800 to level and prepare the ground for building.
The