1
E
130
mooting the opinion of the parties interested, without in the slightest degree binding government to the opinion set forth therein; as it is distinctly stated in the Notification that it is a Minute submitted to Government, but Government did not state that the same had been affirmed by itself or that Government would bind itself by or to it.
It is my firm opinion that the desirableness of a Phaya is universally acknowledged except by those who might be called on to fit up in front of their house beyond a limit of their normal hiring.
As to the proposal of making the holders of Marine Lots fill up, say, the Sea-Wall, Bar, and granting them land recovered from rent free; on a careful investigation there will be found various terms for rejecting this proposition. In the first place, the conditions of the leases over, on behalf of Government, "have and shall keep also full power to make and conduct in, through, and under the said premises, all and any public drains, sewers, water-courses, and also such portion thereof adjacent to the sea as may be required for building any public quay, pier, or roadway pointing thereto; but Government cannot cause the lot holder to do it. Government can resume land, but it cannot force people to take more than they agreed to take by their Lease; and, generally, I do not think that His Excellency, on further consideration, would feel himself authorized, nor, I doubt if he and the Council have the power to grant to 18 persons more than $425,110 or $483,000