CO129-031 - Public Offices - 1849 — Page 168

Adm

18

165

19

Forei

Offic

14

pround rent at Victoria, show- that the rates then established, rising as they do to an annual rent of 2340 per acre

کر

Carmot

safely ve maintained. But if so, it must almost certainly follow that if the scale

до

o

payment be lowered prospectively it would not be long possible. to enforce upon the present Land owners the continued. Landowners

payment of their present Rents.

Of has not been without.

reluctance

that we have

alteration the

contentplated any immediate effect of which may be to diminish the present Revenue of Hong Kong. The

•question, however, has become

م

so urgent that it is impossible. any longer to postpone its settlement, and it is

clear

that an attempt to maintain the existing rents, if they be really excessive, would in the

and be more

more fatal to the

to the progress, and consequently Revenue of itong Kong, than any immediate loss could be.

Under these circumstances, We would venture to submit our opinion that the Sovernor should be authorized to constitute the Fumittee of Enquire which he has proposed, both with respect to the general question

of reduction, and as to the cases of alleged hardship, Aubmitting

b g

vid