高機 汽機素
iter voll400x0 M**
2
The IA
343
In Kowloon the Crown Leases have with some few
exceptions, viz., two or three inland lots, the Marine Lots at
Tsim-tsa-shui, and the property held by the HKong & Whampoa
Dock Co.all of which are on a tenure of 999 years been made
for a term of 75 years, and the same term was given to the
Rural Building Lots in the Hill District. The owners of all
these lots, however, were allowed to believe that the question
of the future extension of the lease to a parity with those
held within the city of Victoria would be considered, and that,
in no case, would resumption follow on conclusion of the term.
In this faith, too, mortgages have been effected which other-
wise could not have safely been concluded.
The Committee feel profound regret that so ra-
dical a measure affecting the tenure of land should have ac-
tually been put into operation without consulting any opinion
in this Colony, and they deplore the tendency at the Colonial
Office to endeavour to apply legislation to distant dependen-
cles of the Crown without sufficient regard being had to the
local circumstances. In the present case, the change so uncere-
moniously introduced cannot fail to have farreaching conse-
quences, and in its working will assuredly act disastrously on
the future well being of the Colony. In protesting against the
change, the Committee wish to point out.-
1. The abandonment of long leases, after grant-
ing the same for nearly fifty years, will have the effect
of
(a)