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Toure 3.
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properties is of little importance. The vast majority of the
persone who invest in leasehold property in this Colony are
Chinese subjects, and to restrict the sale to British subjects
would tend to reduce seriously the market value of the four properties other than the house at the Peak. I came to the
conclusion that these considerations formed special reasons
against any such restriction in the case of the five properties
in question and I therefore addressed to you my cypher telegram
of the 10th. March. I enclose a copy of the draft of the special
conditions which will be inserted in the conditions of sale. I
propose to use the second of those conditions to ensure that the purchaser is beyond suspicion and, in the case of Messrs.
Blackhead & Co's Soap and Soda Factory, that he is not a mere speculator who is endeavouring to make money out of genuine
investors.
12.
On the above view of the position it was unnecessary to consider the question raised in the fifth paragraph of your despatch.
13.
Local conditions also seem to make it
unnecessary to deal in the Ordinance with the question of title. I propose to direct that all the sales shall
14.
be by public auction.
10.
I do not consider it necessary that these
sales should be advertised outside the Colony, as probably any
persons or firms likely to be interested have their represent-
atives here, and wider advertisement would cause delay.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
Governor, &o..