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of the Land Court was delivered on the 7th of December 1901
and it was not until the month of June 1903 that the government took any steps to obtain the reversal of that Judgment
and even then they could only do so by passing a special
Ordinance.
Our clients on learning from Messieurs Deacon and
Hastings of the Colonial Secretary's letter to them of the
14th July 1902 naturally assumed that everything was in order
and we submit that they were not acting unreasonably in
paying the Vendor $3,500 on account of the purchase money and
incurring costs and expenses in connection with their purchase.
The Architect's fees alone amount to something like $1,750.00.
In addition Solicitors' and Counsel's fees approximating to some $3,000 have been incurred.
We may mention that we have been in communication
with the Hong Kong Government and that the latter refuse to
recognise any right in our clients to compensation.
In conclusion we would respectfully submit that as
our clients purchased in good faith and paid and expended
money not only believing after a reasonable time had elapsed
that the Judgment of the Land Court was final and conclusive
(as it would have been had not Ordinance No. 13 of 1903 been
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