6
If His Excellency the Governor is of opinion that he is unable to deal with this matter we would respectfully request that this letter may be forwarded to the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, whose decision we do not doubt will be in our favour. It is not reasonable to expect any one to give up rights extending over a period of 999 years for other rights extending over only 75 years, yet that is what we, two of the largest landed proprietors, Crown rent and ratepayers in the Colony, are asked to do. We have conformed to all your other conditions and under the circumstances we trust this one will be withdrawn.
The Honourable F. A. COOPER,
Director of Public Works, &c., &c.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servants,
E. R. BELILIOS,
JOHN D. HUMPHREYS,
By his Attorney
HENRY HUMPHREYS.
COLONIAL SECRETARY TO E. R. BELILIOS AND J. D. HUMPHREYS,
GENTLEMEN,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
3rd November, 1896.
In reply to your letter of the 27th October addressed to the Director of Public Works, I am directed to inform you that the Government is unable to accept your proposals respecting Kowloon Farm Lot No. 1, but that any memorial on the subject, which you may submit, will be duly transmitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
Duplicate. Enclosure 2.
Public Works Department.
18695.
285
333
In accordance with the instructions of His Excellency the Governor, I forward to you the following correspondence that was passed between E. R. Belilios, Mr. ... and the Colonial Government relating to the conversion of Kowloon Farm Lot No. 1 into a building lot.
2. Kowloon Farm Lot No. 1 is situated immediately north of the now thriving village of Kau Lan and Shan Tin, tinted red on the attached plan. This lot was originally leased in 1865.
3. By the terms of the lease, a copy of which is attached, the lot is leased for a period of 999 years at an annual Crown rental of $59.400. The area of the property is ... acres. The lessee agrees that he will not erect any buildings or houses on the property except what was required for the due cultivation of the premises as a farm.
The lessee has the right to graze cattle on the hills and waste lands not being required by the Government for any purpose whatever.
4. From the conditions in the lease, it will be seen that the lessee is not at liberty to erect buildings other than those required for farm purposes.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.