3
Secretariat file 32/661/47
No. 170.
Sir,
54439/2/48
Any (2)
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
20th July, 1948.
I have the honour to request your approval to the grant by private treaty to the Nam Pak Hong Association of an area of land measuring 1,400 square feet comprising part of the property now known as 135 Bonham Strand in Victoria on the Island of Hong Kong.
2.
5
الله
End /
The Nam Pak Hong Association, which is not a charitable organisation but a profit making Association of Merchants formed about 1868, claims that the property known as No.135 Bonham Strand, a roughly triangular site of about 2,600 square feet, was granted to it about 80 years ago, and being anxious to reconstruct the
Before building, had plans prepared by an architect to that end. embarking on the work of reconstruction, the Association endeavoured
It was to clear up the obscure position of its title to the land. then discovered that the land on which the building stands is Crown Land, that the Association as occupant is a tenant at will of Government, and has no title to the land at all.
3.
It seems that about 1868 the Association was allowed to build a private fire-station and meeting house on Crown Land, Some years ago the fire-station became redundant and ceased to be used for that purpose, but the tenants were allowed to remain in possession of the building which they had erected, and they continue to pay rent, rates and property tax. The Hong occupies the 1st floor as a committee room and office, while the ground floor is used in part as a station for the Nam Pak Hong district watchmen, and in part by a sub-tenant as a tailor's shop for which he pays no cash rent.
4.
The reduction in area now proposed from 2,600 to 1,400 square feet is due to the desirability of providing a set back in the alignment of the building for the purpose of street widening, the proposed reconstruction offering a suitable opportunity to do this.
5.
The Crown Lease would be for the usual renewable term of 75 years with a suitable building covenant, Crown Rent at the ruling rates being reserved. Subject to your approval, it is not proposed to give any concession in respect of premium, and a charge of $100.00 per square foot will be made which is the price which the land might be expected to fetch if it were put up to public auction. While the Association would thereby regularise its title without any foreseeable sacrifice of the revenues of the Colony, it would, in recognition of its 80 years' uninterrupted occupation of the site, be protected from the possibility of losing it to speculative bidders at a public auction.
6.
I would appreciate an early indication of your approval to enable the Association to proceed with the reconstruction of the building.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
L
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
A. CREECH JONES, M.P.
27 JUL 1948
Your most obedient, humble servant,
GOVERNOR.