In any further communica-
tion on this subject, please quote
- Nr.6.1641,
and address letter to-
Je Secretary,
Admiralty,
F164/1837 11 July
Admiralty, Whitehall,
London, S.W.
190.
C 0.
23747
33
Sir,
Adwy asubb Red 5 JUL 04!
With reference to Admiralty Letter of 13th October 1902, W.L.3796/3279 and previous correspondence relating to the purchase of the Briquette Factory (Marine Lot 38) at Kowloon, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that a question has been raised as to the position of the Admiralty in regard to the property in question.
It will be remembered that the lease of the property was acquired by the Admiralty through the medium of the Governor of Hong Kong, under the Resumption of Crown Lands Ordinance. The lease was for a term of 75 years from 20th June 1892.
Subsequently the Admiralty agreed to pay the Colony a sum of $43,700, in order to extinguish their interest in the Crown Rental of the property, this amount being the capitalized value of the Crown Rent paid by the previous owner based on 25 years purchase.
In his despatch of 16th July 1902, No.314, a copy of which was forwarded with Colonial Office letter of 27th August 1902, No.34161/02, the Governor states "that the sum of $43,700 was required in order to extinguish the Colony's interest in the Crown Rents, by which means the area would become the absolute property of the Admiralty".
The Under Secretary of State,
L.P.-No. 8.
COLONIAL OFFICE,
Whitehall, S.W.
2 G&8 (6311) 20m 5/02
and