646

insurance. The came been galow at the Peak would let readily for #100 a month.

The only inducement for people

anore

to live in suburban districts is to get breathing space, a garden or a tennis lawn

and some trees. These cannot be had with high premia and heavy ground rento

that it would be a

But the Commission says we might build terraces of Ewropean houses under a Rural Building Lease . To this I would reply

great gain to the Colony if we did, for European dwellings

are urgent. by wanted, especially to suit the poorer

$200 a month Middle class on salaries of and less for whom Kowloon would be of

But the retum on Cheap and

easy such property at Kowloon would not exceed 8 per cent if the houses kept full, even on aur present ground rents and the experiment would be a risky one to make in the face of the large tracts of land it is proposed to open up East and West

Victoria upon

Acceas

"

each lot of which to build will the compulsory

In addition of this it is proposed grank

ency leases for 75 years on "easy terms to all the Chinese Squatters holding monthly licenses whose lands will thus become

A

This matter is

available for building purposes I presume by purchase at nominal prices soon after they get their leases: for these Squatters are for the most part very poor and quite unable to build for themselves. referred in the spuch of His Excellency the Gonemor at the opening of

The Hongkong. Session for 1884 / Blue Book in Continuation 8. C. 4015 of May 1884 p. 259 Clause 13, as Follows

to

2,

4

Morconer in the villages of the Colony the exetens " of tenants at wills (Comed licensed Equatters)

C

*

تر ہو

"

months notice.

"

4

"

whose tenures were terminable at one months notice will be emporseded by a system of small and inexpensive holdings for 75 yar The inhabitants will thus game that the decurity

their money in dintable. "for the investment of " homes which was altogether wanting under " Their present Ignatterns license by which they were liable to eviction at one "These measures will it is expected tend to " stimulate the further erection of proper " diellings and to relieve the present over "-

of Several quarters of the "City : The came grection is curiously -nough referred to in the same way article in the Times of the 20th August which I enclose marted Appendix D.

-Crowded condition

. .

the an

" August last

any money leases

Very few of these porr

foor squatters have au & invest and to give them

them building

without the means to bined on easy tims would do thene tits good beyond the profit

they made on the Call of

their leases.

But the Howloon Garden Cotholders are

us I know able

without

ану

exception as far

to build substantial dwellings for themselves on their lots and to further improve their

lands

Upon

What

Crown

grounds they have

of been selected as the only holders, lands in the Colony who are of he allowed & derive no

benefit from such concessions___ I know not but judging from the tone of the Commission of the treatment we were to expect and comparing it with the liberalit, that has been shown (and I think properly 20 ) to the Crown Leaves in the fashionable enburt at the Peaks and with the questionably beneficial liberality that it is propores. to extends to every poor grass cutter, gootherd

13

12

Share This Page