was instructed to revisit the rent, so long as the property remained in the possession of the War Dept.
3. In 1860 further reclamation of land was effected, and the land thus reclaimed has been held to be the property of the Crown which the local Govt. decided to assign to the Colony.
This lot adjoins the Supreme Court House and the Governor of Hongkong desired to obtain it for the labour; and the sum of $35,000 has been determined upon by Sir A. Kennedy and the Major General Commanding as the proper price to be paid for its purchase.
It is obscure whether this was paid.
5. Lord Kimberly considers that the present condition of the finances of the Colony would not at present admit of the payment of so large a sum, and having regard to the fact that the War Department have long enjoyed the possession of this land free of Crown-rent, and that the land comprised in the 2nd reclamation could not be conveyed to any private purchaser, his Lordship in deference to Mr. Cardwell's favourable consideration would suggest that the Site and buildings thereon should be leased by the War Department to the Colony at a rent calculated to pay 4 per cent.
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