CO129-005 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1844 — Page 366

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

The matter has now resolved itself into the simple question, as to the interpretation to be put on Your Lordship's instructions that "we were not to alienate land in perpetuity, or for any longer period than should enable tenants to create substantial buildings."

Your Lordship will have seen from the copy of the Leases which forms Enclosure No.1 to my Despatch No.3, of the 22nd of January last, that it has been provided for in that document, that the Buildings shall all become the property of the Crown, at the expiration of the 75 years for which the Leases are to run; and I am usually told that this is the case in Leases of the sort: but there can be no doubt that the strict enforcement of that clause will operate towards deterring people from expending so much money as they otherwise would do in improvements by building quays, Wharves, Docks, &c. And when I look to the high rates of rent at which the land of itself has to let in this Island, I cannot doubt but that a favourable consideration of the prayer contained in the present application would have the most beneficial effect on the future prosperity of the Colony. I should, therefore, be glad, did it accord with the views of Her Majesty's Government, to see that Clause of the Lease modified so as to ensure the Owners

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2026-05-16 13:10:21 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
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The matter has now resolved itself into the simple question, as to the interpretation to be put on Your Lordship's instructions that "we were not to alienate land in perpetuity, or for any longer period than should enable tenants to create substantial buildings." Your Lordship will have seen from the copy of the Leases which forms Enclosure No.1 to my Despatch No.3, of the 22nd of January last, that it has been provided for in that document, that the Buildings shall all become the property of the Crown, at the expiration of the 75 years for which the Leases are to run; and I am usually told that this is the case in Leases of the sort: but there can be no doubt that the strict enforcement of that clause will operate towards deterring people from expending so much money as they otherwise would do in improvements by building quays, Wharves, Docks, &c. And when I look to the high rates of rent at which the land of itself has to let in this Island, I cannot doubt but that a favourable consideration of the prayer contained in the present application would have the most beneficial effect on the future prosperity of the Colony. I should, therefore, be glad, did it accord with the views of Her Majesty's Government, to see that Clause of the Lease modified so as to ensure the Owners
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The matter has now resolved itself into the simple question_ to the interpretation to be- put Your Lordship's instructions that on was not to alienate land in perpetuity, or for any longer period than should enable tenants to creat substantial buildings." Your Lordship will have seen from the copy of the Leases which forms Enclosure Noll to my Despatch N.3, of the 22nd of January last, that it has been provided_ for in that document, that the Buildings shall all become the property of the frown, at the expiration of the 75 years for which the Leases. and I Anv usually the are to run; told that this is Case in Leans of the 358 the sort: but there can be no doubt that the strict enforcement of that clause will operate towards deferring people from expending so much on they otherwise would do money as in improvements by building quays Wharves, Focks, He.. And when I look to the high rates of rent st sshich the land of itself. has thither to let in this Island, Scannot doubt but a favorable consideration of the prayer contained in the present application would have the most beneficial effect on the future prosperity of the Colony I should, therefore, be glad, did of it accord with the views Her Majesty's Governments, __ to see that Clause of the Lease modified Jo as to ensure the Owners
2026-05-16 13:10:21 · Baseline
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The matter has now resolved itself into the simple question_ to the interpretation to be- put

Your Lordship's instructions that

on

was not to alienate land in

perpetuity, or for any longer period

than should enable tenants to creat substantial buildings."

Your Lordship will have seen from the copy of the Leases which forms Enclosure Noll to my Despatch N.3, of the 22nd of January last, that it has been provided_ for in that document, that the Buildings shall all become the property of the frown, at the expiration of the 75 years for which the Leases.

and I

Anv

usually the

are to run;

told that this is

Case in Leans of

the

358

the sort: but there can be no doubt

that the strict enforcement of that clause will operate towards deferring people from expending so much on they otherwise would do

money as

in improvements by building quays Wharves, Focks, He.. And when I look to the high rates

of rent st sshich the land of itself. has thither to let in this Island, Scannot doubt but a favorable consideration

of

the

prayer

contained in the

present application would have the most beneficial effect

on the future prosperity of the Colony I should, therefore, be glad, did

of

it accord with the views

Her Majesty's Governments, __ to see that Clause of the Lease

modified

Jo

as to ensure the

Owners

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