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Enclosure 3.
Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1897-1898, and I would also refer Your Lordship to Lord Derby's Despatch No. 105 of the 28th April, 1885, stating that "it is essential that contracts made with the Government should not be departed from without grave reason" and that the ordinary term of 75 years for a building lease is as long a term as it is desirable to grant.
3. Mr. Dennys has now altered his original application and inquires whether the Government is prepared to accept a surrender of the old lease and to grant new leases to the present occupiers/owners of the property, such new leases to be for 75 years from date and to contain a clause entitling them to a renewal for a further term of 75 years at an increased rate.
4. I think that the grant of this application would constitute a most undesirable precedent and I see no reason why the Government should make any concession in the matter. In this opinion both the Colonial Secretary and the Land Officer concur, and I have therefore the honour to recommend that the application of Mr. Dennys should be refused.
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
Bannerman
Governor, &c.