DRAFT.
Hongkong
22 1244
MINUTE.
Mr. Macnaghten
Mr. Swinton
Mr. Antrobus.
Mr. Cox.
Mr. Lucas.
Mr. Graham.
Sir E. Wingfield.
Earl of Selborne.
Mr. Chamberlain.
With reference to my Telegram noted in the margin of the 23 ultimo relative to the Leasing of Crown Lands in Hongkong,
I have the honour to point out to you that in my Despatch no. 132 of the 23rd May 1898 it was decided that future leases should be for periods not exceeding seventy-five years.
In Despatch No. 320 of the 9th December last, I accepted the suggestions made in Major-
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