From the Colonial Secretary to Messrs. Hastings and Hastings.
Gentlemen,
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 28th March, 1907.
I am directed to inform you that the Governor has carefully considered the Petition of the Executrixes of Tong Wan Chiu and Ku Fai Shan, forwarded in your letter of the 12th instant, praying for compensation from this Government for losses sustained and expenses incurred in connection with the purchase by Tong Wan Chiu and Ku Fai Shan of certain property at Kowloon City from Lam Cheung Fuk, but that His Excellency is unable to accede to the prayer of the Petitioners.
2. I am to point out to you that the allegation by the Petitioners that the deed dated the 10th of January, 1883, under which claim was made to the property, had in fact been registered in the Land Registry of the Magistrate's Yamen of the San On District and that this fact had not been brought to the notice of the Full Court, is entirely incorrect.
A reference to the file in the Supreme Court will show that the Magistrate of the San On District made an affidavit on the 12th of December, 1903, to the effect inter alia that the deed referred to is a forgery and ought to be cancelled and that the seal upon it purporting to be seal of the San On Magistrate is not in fact his.
3. I am to add that if the Petitioners have suffered loss it is only such loss as a purchaser of property is liable to whose title deeds prove to be forgeries.
I have etc.,
(sd.) F. H. May,
Colonial Secretary.