Circumstances affecting real estate profits
Hongkong (No.3 of 1849).
2. I observe that the fees chargeable under the provisions of this Ordinance are all, with one exception, fixed at the same rates as in 1844, although the Attorney General admits that they might, in ordinary instances, not unfrequently, have been raised.
3. Before tendering any advice to H.M. on the subject of this despatch, I shall be glad to know whether the question of revising these charges was taken into consideration in connexion with para. 15 of my despatch No. 422 of the 19th Dec. last, to which I have as yet received no reply.
It appears to me that these charges are of the same class as those which the Acting Treasurer suggested should be increased, in the memorandum referred to, those enclosed herewith that paper.
4. Pending the receipt of your observations on this point, and on the general question raised in the paper referred to, I propose to defer tendering advice to H.M.