}
No No 148
303
rc.o.
14573
NOEL MAY 12,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 18th. April, 1912.
9741
do.
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that an applica- -tion has been received from the Secretary to the Chinese Young Lien's Christian Association for a five years' lease for use as a playground of the area comprising roughly 4,320 square feet colour- -ed red on the accompanying plan.
2.
This land formed part of the area which Sir I. Nathan in his Despatch No. 42 of 19th. February, 1906, recommended should be sold without auction to the Association and the sale of which Lord Elgin sanctioned in his telegram of 21st. March, 1906. The Association subsequently finding itself unable to acquire the whole area handed back to Government the portion now applied for. Sir F. D. Lugard under dete 6th. March, 1911, minuted as follows on the application:~
#4
3.
"My view is that if the hostel now being established
turns out to be a success it practically converts a consider- "-able portion of Queen's College into a boarding (or resident- "-ial) school at no cost to Government. This is most desirable "and if later it were found that the hostel accommodation was "insufficient and this small plot had already been sold the "sale might be greatly regretted".
With reference to the above I may explain that
the Association having in 1906 purchased Inland Lot 1757 were un-
-able
RICHT HONOURABLE
LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P..
&c.,
&c.,
&c...