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the year made sufficient improvements in the courses to fulfil condition (d). In the course of the work it was found necessary to acquire several further plots of land at a price of $441.97, some of it in connection with the Relief Course, making the total sum to be considered 89,182.82.
7.
I have, therefore, now to recommend that I be authorised to pay to the Royal Hongkong Golf Club the sum of 89,182.82 on the conditions mentioned in paragraph 5 above. I am of opinion that the success of the Club, in that it is already having a very marked bearing on the development of the districts it! adjoins and on the receipts of the Railway, entirely justify the proposal. In any event the investment is a fair one for the
Government owing to the increase in the value of the land due to
development.
8.
As this despatch has been delayed owing to pressure
of other matters, I would be glad of a reply by telegraph to enable]
me if possible to conclude the transaction before the close of the
current year. In the event of your approval I propose to issue a
single lease for all the land concerned on an annual tenure, with aj
consolidated rent made up of 44% on the sum expended by the Govern-
ment, 1 an acre on Crown Land, and (in the case of the 18 holes
course) the cultivators' Crown rent as at present assessed; with
the remaining conditions as in the lease of which a copy has
already been forwarded to you.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
впада
Governor, &c.