499
the very long irregular line of perfectly undefined boundary could not constitute a proper conveyance of land from Mar Department to the Colonial Government. and I would suggest that a detailed survey should be prepared by the latter Government showing the line (within certain limits of deviation), of the new road, but with the actual boundaries claimed by them distinctly defined on the plan, and marked out on the ground. that boundary should be surveyed and verified by an Officer of the Royal Engineers, and when this is done that the transfer should be made between the officers of the respective parties - Ground-aligned plans exchanged, and the memorandum of the allotment, &c on which the lands are transferred, indorsed on the plan.
I may conclude by observing that the Chinese who now complain of the destruction of their property are, under any circumstances (whether the land actually belongs to the War Department or the Colonial Government), guilty of Encroachments; and therefore I consider them without locus standi for any claims for damage against either party – and I am unable to understand as they traversed precisely the same way last year, and for many years previously without claiming any damages, how they can, with justice prefer claims this year, the circumstances attending the destruction of their Encroachments have...