į
C233 20174
This is a very difficult question, which the pre-
sent desp. does not handle in a very masterly way.
If the 75 year leaseholders are to be offered a
further term of 75 years at a premium and Crown rent
based on the then value of the property, they will
get no compensation for their improvements. It is
to be feared that they will see the advantage of let
- hlw
Ido not fund tho in the papers.
ting their lease lapse, and taking up the lease through
a third party somebody else in which case they will
pay the same premium and Crown rent as if they ex-
tended the original lease but will get compensation
from the Crown for the value of their improvements
and buildings.
There is the further difficult question as to
what compensation for improvements and buildings is
to be paid at the end of the second period of 75
years, when all the leases will presumably terminat
I think they had better appoint a small Committee
or Commission to formulate a general scheme that wil
hold water.
AVC
8.10.13
This paper has recrived very prolunged Canson in the deft where it has bensuel.
Aug 21t as
by oored to to Robinson,
I don't think a thee and be hilfful.
*
EM. 1.10.13
10.10.13
No 271
closure.!
+
Walt
McGriffui Remind Story Hary.
1
TRAP
6m
2111119 22/1/144 asme
You
Sir,
24727/09
QE2 46 13
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONGKONG. 26th. July, 1913.
With reference to Sir F. Lugard's Despatch No.........
169 of the 18th. of June, 1909, I have the honour to transmit the
enclosed copy of a letter from Lessrs. Dennys and Bowley, Solicitors covering a Petition addressed to the Colonial Secretary in August last asking that the Government will formulate a scheme for the
renewal of such Crown Leases in the Hill District as are for 70
years only.
2.
The Petitioners suggest that the Government should now undertake to renew these leases upon the termination of their currency for one term of 75 years at a re-assessed Crow Rent.
3.
There are 68 lots in the Hill District lensed
:
by the Crown for 75 years only. The earliest of these lenses were
sold in 1673. There are in the same district 24 Cromm Lenses for
terms of 75 years renewable for one further term of 75 years at a re-assessed Crow Rent. These renewable leases were ranted on the bio authority of r. Chamberlain's Despatch No. 132 of the 23rd. of lay,
98 1898.
no
4.
It is not possible to consider the question of the 75 years leases in the Hill District without reference to other similar leases in other parts of the Colony. It will suffice to refer to the Kowloon District only. There, out of 55 Lerine
There are Lots and 938 Inland Lots held under lease from the Crown,/15 Larine
RIGHT HONOURABLE
LE IS HARCOURT, M.P.,
WC.,
&C.,
&c...
Lots