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meet the Government in all reasonable ways, and it was in accordance with these conceptions that they suggested an exchange of land which seemed to have the double advantage of confirming themselves in possession of the same area of land; and of enabling the Government to acquire what they want without having to make any considerable expenditure.
As you are aware the land in question is quite close to—in fact almost forms a part of Yan-ma-ti, a District which, within the past ten years, has grown from little more than a village to a considerable town; and which promises to grow still more rapidly in the future. In this eventuality our clients' property cannot fail to be much enhanced in value, and we suggest to you that the value of it is not simply what it is worth to-day for the purposes of growing vegetables and fruit trees; but also, and in a greater measure, what it will be worth five or ten years hence when it has become part of the centre of a great town;
and when this lot together with all the other surrounding lots will have become converted into building lots.
Our clients do not look upon your offer to grant them Inland Lot Leases for part of their property (see your letter No. 333) as a very valuable one, as it has been almost a matter of course to grant Inland Lots—or building lots—in exchange for Farm or garden lots as urban districts begin to encroach upon what had previously been rural districts: an arrangement which is of equal advantage to the owners, who are able to more fully develop their property, and to the Government which profits by the improved rateable value of the land. There occur to us as we write the instances of Mr. William Keswick's farm lots at East Point, of Mr. Granville Sharp's Farm Lot at the Peak, and of the late Sir E. J. Ackroyd's Farm lot at Mount Kellett. In these cases the transfers were made in favour of influential Europeans, but we cannot suppose that the Government would not be anxious to treat with equal justice owners of Chinese nationality. For these reasons; although we admit that the exchange of lease may some day be very desirable, and constitutes one of the elements of value of the land; we cannot advise our clients that it is a compensation for being dispossessed of part of their land at the present time.
For these reasons our clients express the hope that their land—which they hold on a lease for 999 years—may not be taken away from them against their wishes and upon a valuation that has been determined by yourself; but that compensation may be made in land in the immediate vicinity, leased in the same way, and for the unexpired period of 999 years.*
Should you still feel unable to meet their views in this way our clients request that they may remain in possession of their land, or that in the alternative the whole of this correspondence may be forwarded for the consideration of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for
* An exchange of land upon these terms was offered to the Hongkong Hotel Company but refused by them, upon the ground that the land to be granted was inconveniently situated half a mile inland.
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the Colonies, with which object they will have it copied in duplicate and forwarded with the necessary covering letter from the owners—to the Hon. The Colonial Secretary for transmission to London.
We are Sir,
Yours faithfully,
DENISON RAM & GIBBS,
Our clients inform us that work people have already taken possession of their land and cut down their trees and hedges, thereby doing considerable damage to their property. Will you kindly inform us to whom they should look for a remedy in this state of affairs—we mean apart from a legal remedy to which they have no wish to have recourse, unless obliged to do so.
Messrs. DENISON RAM & GIBBS.
Dear Sirs,
Crown Solicitor's Office, Hongkong, 7th November, 1906.
Kowloon Farm Lot 4.
I enclose formal notice of the intention of the Crown to resume a portion of this lot for the railway and of the appointment of Mr. A. Shelton Hooper as arbitrator on behalf of the Crown. Will you accept service of this notice on behalf of the Lessee, Mrs. Chan Moon Lau Shi and will you request her to nominate her arbitrator, who must be one of the special jurors of the Colony?
The Government is anxious to occupy this land at once in order to proceed with the construction of the railway. I should be glad to know whether your client will consent to the Government taking possession of the land at once without prejudice to your claim for compensation. You may inform her that the Government is prepared to proceed with the assessment of the compensation immediately.
Yours faithfully,
Messrs. DENISON RAM & GIBBS.
F. B. L. BOWLEY, ESQ.
Crown Solicitor.
Sir,
F. B. L. BOWLEY,
Crown Solicitor.
10th November, 1906.
Kowloon Farm Lot No. 4.
Replying to your letter of 7th instant re the above: our client Mrs. Chan Moon Lau Shi is a Chinese widow. She has no knowledge of English, and all our communications with her have to be carried on through an interpreter. Under these circumstances we shall prefer that the "formal notice" referred to should be served directly upon herself.
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