1. That Premises so hired have at any previous date since the formation of the Colony been liable to this Tax.
2. That this Colonial Government have no right whatever to tax the Military Buildings in the Occupation of the Government for Colonial purposes.
3. That the Officers occupying Quarters are required to pay for the quarters they inhabit according to the Ordnance Regulations ordered to be observed.
4. That the Buildings in question have Military Guards and cannot in any way require the protection of the Hong Kong Police.
5. That the Contract entered into by Messrs Fletcher makes no mention whatever of this Tax and that we are bound by that Contract alone.
6. That if this claim on the part of the Civil Government be persisted in (until as they have threatened through the officer who delivered the notice, that they will distrain on the personal property of the officers, if the Tax be not paid) is most unfair and unreasonable on the present Contracts, and that new contracts, in which this new demand should be specified, ought in justice to all parties concerned be drawn out.
7. That the experience of 20 years abroad in other Colonies proves the claim to be unjust as it is unprecedented.
8. That the rate itself is disproportionate.