520
value of building and agricultural land than with the intention of permanently fixing the real ground rental value.
7. From the 18th of April, 1904, until the 30th June, 1904, inclusive, no collection of Crown Rent was made. From the 1st of July, 1904, onwards Crown Rent was collected at the enhanced rates based on the issue of permanent titles in the shape of Crown Leases for 75 years from the 1st of July, 1898, renewable for 24 years less three days. These rates were embodied in a notification which was translated into Chinese and posted all over the New Territories in the form of a Proclamation. They are those against which the friends of Mr. Otto Kong Sing memorialised Your Lordship.
8. In addition to the Petition which has been referred to me for report on its merits, there was presented to me in April of this year a Petition subscribed by persons living in most Districts of the New Territories including those of New Kowloon which was in the main a more comprehensive representation of the grievances from which the Crown Lessees in New Kowloon alleged that they were suffering.
9. This general Petition of April was submitted to criticism by several officers of the Government. From a very full and able report on it furnished by Mr. C. Clementi, Assistant Land Officer of the Northern District of the Territories, and from one by Mr. J. R. Wood, Assistant Land Officer of the