955.
of power of those officers to conclude any definite or final arrangements on the subject of the sea-frontage, I've not remembered having ever heard of any such Notifications. Having now heard the terms of Sir Henry Pottinger's Notification of the 28th?
Appendix No. 1) now read to me, I say distinctly that I do not remember to have ever heard of it. In those days I was sometimes here, but for most of the time at Canton and Macao, where I had establishments then. On the contrary, I was distinctly encouraged to reclaim as much as I thought fit. Both before and after the date of that Notification just read to me, I was repeatedly told by the Land Officer, - both by Captain Mylius and his successor Captain Meis; - that I need only leave a space behind for the road, but that, as to the Sea-face, I might reclaim as much as I pleased, at the risk only of the resumption by Government for public purposes.
No terms were mentioned at all, as the conditions of resumption. I did not know whether the Government contemplated giving compensation or not. I am still convinced that there was a Notification to the effect I have stated. So the best of my recollection, it was in a Circular from the Land Office to myself and others who were building on the lands purchased. There was no such Notification in the Government Gazette at the time. Even if no such Notification had ever been made, still I think that the rents payable upon the lands to be reclaimed by and at the expense of Government