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called upon to alter existing structures, without compensation, and that he ought not to be in a worse position, if he has to reconstruct in consequence of a fine.
As between the Crown and the lessee, any infringement of the benefits given by the lease to subjects, would be remedied under a Petition of Right, but if there were an Ordinance passed derogating from rights conferred under the lease, such remedy could be availed of.
In the early days, when land was so valuable, if the Surveyor-General had required air spaces to be left, there was little doubt but that builders would have acceded - but the Chinese are cited at page 32 of the Blue book, No. 426 of 1851, on the occasion of Chinese appealing to the then Governor, against an attempt on the part of the Government to obtain more light and air for domestic dwellings.
The Governor, under date of 13th July 1878, minuted the Chinese memorial as follows:
This memorial, which relates to the structure of purely Chinese houses in the Chinese Quarter of the town, is signed by nearly all the leading Chinese inhabitants in Hong Kong, and is framed by three intelligent and influential Chinese residents whose views with respect to such questions are entitled to the greatest weight. Agreeing with them in the general principles, I would be glad to learn that the need for ventilation is set forth.
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