No.170.
1
My Lord,
| MAY 1031
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG, 16th April, 1931.
Aned
Joo 89% / 40
6140
7898.
I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that
I have received an application from Mr. J. H. Kuttonjee to
purchase an area of foreshore and seabed situated in the
New Territories to the east of Tsun Wan Marine Lot No.5.
My attention has been called by the Land Officer in this
connection to the fact that since the passing of the Fore-
shores and Sea Bed Ordinance No.15 of 1901, Crown leases of
Marine lots have from time to time been granted on the same
terms as those of Inland Lots namely for a period of 75 years
renewable for a further period of 75 years at a re-assessed
Crown Rent.
41
2. The Land Officer now points out that section 3
of Ordinance 15 of 1901 gives the Governor authority to grant
such Crown Leases "for any term not exceeding seventy-five
years, or for such longer term as the Secretary of State may
authorise". These words were inserted in the draft Ordinance
under the instructions of Mr. Chamberlain which were given
in his despatch No.105 of March 28th, 1901, whereas the
practice of granting renewable leases was based on the
conditions set out in Mr. Chamberlain's despatch No.132 of
23rd May, 1898.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LORD PASSFIELD,
&C.,
&c.
&c.
3.
18