>
>
No. 23
Hongkong
Government House,
Hongkong, 22nd. April, 1903.
110
gir.
Gove
4233
In reply to the 2nd. paragraph of your
Despatch No. 75 of the 27th. of February last, I have the
honour to inform you that it is only proposed to grant leases
of 75 years for Garden Lots to those owners in the New Terri-
tory who are entitled to perpetual leases according to
Chinese Law.
2.
These Seventy-five years' leases will
contain a provision for the renewal of the term at reassessed
rental for a further period of 24 years less three days, and
the first term will run from the 1st. of July, 1898, the date
when the Convention came into force.
Seventy-five years' leases have been fixed upon for
the sake of uniformity throughout the Colony.
3.
In cases where the owner is not entitled
to a perpetual lease the shorter term for Garden Lot Leases to
which you refer will be applied.
4.
The instructions contained in the 3rd.
paragraph of your Despatch will in future be carried out.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&0..
&C..
800...
I