CO.PL.
topy.
Teking 197.
0.0.
26115
Rece
&
CANTO N. Ruck 22 NOV 36
1st September, 1898.
406
No.38.
Sir!-
In my despatch No.23 of June 11th, I had the
honour to mention that a land company was in course
of formation here.
The Company has now been registered in Hongkong
as the "Canton Land Company" and its first act has
been to apply to me for registration of a lease of a
large piece of property with certain foreshore rights
in Canton. The solicitor of the Company refuses to
allow me to see the list of shareholders of the Com-
pany, and says it has been "decided by the Courts in
"England as far back as 1846 that you cannot enter
"into the question of the nationality of the share-
"holders".
I expect considerable difficulty in obtaining
from the Chinese Authorities the sealing of this
1r Claude MacDonald, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
&c., &c.,
S&C.
lease,