CO129-033 - General Stavely - Lieut. Governor - 1850 [5-8] — Page 372

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

rent. fp. square foot might be high according,

probable that it was the measurement of lease, it is probable capability of reducing that rate by adding to the available building ground, that enabled the purchaser to pay the higher rate for that portion included in the Lease, whilst, in the case of my Lot, I was not only unable to add to my available ground, but upwards of 12 per cent of the Government measurement was wholly unavailable, and a large portion of it was taxed with Marine rate, though the remainder, strictly speaking, was only chargeable with low let rate.

In conclusion, I beg to call your attention to the fact that, assuming the premises my lot were let at the highest rental I believe was obtainable when such accommodation was scarce and wanted, after paying ground rent there would be left 5% interest for outlay of capital, which was moderate, whilst, taking the rent at what they will only bring at present, if they can be let at all, they will not produce 50 per cent of the ground rent. As this ground rent was the upset price of Government, and has always been considered as in lieu of all other taxes and assessments, it is evident it acts most unjustly on individuals and injuriously towards the Colony, since, when, from circumstances over which the Lessees of the ground have no control, their property becomes untenanted, they are still liable for what was only intended to be in lieu of assessment or such taxes as occupation would only have justified or created; a principle of levying taxes which, whilst it imposes a burden on Landlords when they are least able to bear it, must check the investment of capital in the Colony in any shape.

Setting aside, therefore, all cases of individual hardship in Leases and Tenure of Land in the Colony, I respectfully submit that the principle of raising funds by an excessive ground rent in lieu of all other taxation is calculated to oppress the more depressed of the Colony, and this operates every day against a reaction, and in times of prosperity it does not fairly tax those who ought to be taxed, or yield.

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rent. fp. square foot might be high according, probable that it was the measurement of lease, it is probable capability of reducing that rate by adding to the available building ground, that enabled the purchaser to pay the higher rate for that portion included in the Lease, whilst, in the case of my Lot, I was not only unable to add to my available ground, but upwards of 12 per cent of the Government measurement was wholly unavailable, and a large portion of it was taxed with Marine rate, though the remainder, strictly speaking, was only chargeable with low let rate. In conclusion, I beg to call your attention to the fact that, assuming the premises my lot were let at the highest rental I believe was obtainable when such accommodation was scarce and wanted, after paying ground rent there would be left 5% interest for outlay of capital, which was moderate, whilst, taking the rent at what they will only bring at present, if they can be let at all, they will not produce 50 per cent of the ground rent. As this ground rent was the upset price of Government, and has always been considered as in lieu of all other taxes and assessments, it is evident it acts most unjustly on individuals and injuriously towards the Colony, since, when, from circumstances over which the Lessees of the ground have no control, their property becomes untenanted, they are still liable for what was only intended to be in lieu of assessment or such taxes as occupation would only have justified or created; a principle of levying taxes which, whilst it imposes a burden on Landlords when they are least able to bear it, must check the investment of capital in the Colony in any shape. Setting aside, therefore, all cases of individual hardship in Leases and Tenure of Land in the Colony, I respectfully submit that the principle of raising funds by an excessive ground rent in lieu of all other taxation is calculated to oppress the more depressed of the Colony, and this operates every day against a reaction, and in times of prosperity it does not fairly tax those who ought to be taxed, or yield. Page 366
Baseline (Original)
rent. fp. square foot snight be high according, probable that it was the_ measurement of. lease, it is probable capability of reducing that rate by adding to the available building ground, that enabled the purchaser to pay the higher - rate for that portion included in the Lease, whilst, in the case of my Lot, I was not unable to add to my available only ground, but upwards of 12 per cent of the Government wad wholly measurement unavailable. , and a large portion of with Marine rate, though the remainder taxed with Marine, rate, strictly speaking, only chargeable with lown let rate. In conclusion, I beg to call your attention built 020 to the fact that, assuming the premises my lot were let at the highest rontal Ibelieve that was obtainable when such accommodation rent was scarce and wanted, after paying ground there would be left 5% interest for outlay of capital, which was moderate, whilst, taking the sent at what they will only bring at present, if 6 produce 50 they can be let at all, they will not, pcent of the ground rent. As this ground rent was the 366 upset price of Government, and has always been considered as in lie of all other taxes and assesements, it is evident it acts most unjustly on individuals and injuriously towards the Colony, since, when, from circumstances over which the Lessees of the ground have no control, their property, becomes untenanted, they in truth was are still liable for what only intended to be in lieu of or occu an ar assessment or such taxes as upation would only have justified or created; a principle of levying By taxes which, whilst it imposes a burden on Landlords when they are least able to bear it ; nust chack the investment of capital in the felong hardship " in the Colony in any shape, Sotting aside, therefore, all cases of individual in Leases and Tenure of Lond in the Colony, Imepectfully submit that the principle of raising funds the by aw excessive ground rent in liew of all other systion affair of taxation is calculated to oppress the more of the Colony and depressed, and this operates every day the a reaction, and in times of prosperity more against - fairly tax those who ought to be taxed,or does not it yield.
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rent. fp. square foot snight be high according,

probable that it was the_

measurement of. lease, it is probable capability of reducing that rate by adding to the available

building ground, that enabled the purchaser to pay the higher

- rate for that portion included in the Lease,

whilst, in the case of my Lot, I was not

unable to add to my

available

only

ground, but upwards

of 12 per cent of the Government

wad

wholly

measurement

unavailable. , and a large portion of

with Marine rate, though

the remainder taxed with Marine, rate,

strictly speaking, only chargeable with lown let rate.

In conclusion, I beg to call

your

attention

built

020

to the fact that, assuming the premises my lot were let at the highest rontal Ibelieve

that was obtainable when such accommodation

rent

was scarce and wanted, after paying ground there would be left 5% interest for outlay of capital, which was moderate, whilst, taking the sent at what they will only bring at present, if 6 produce 50

they

can

be let at all, they will not,

pcent of the ground rent. As this ground

rent

was the

366

upset price of Government, and has always been considered as in lie of all other taxes and

assesements, it is evident it acts most unjustly

on individuals and injuriously towards the Colony, since, when, from

circumstances over which the

Lessees of the ground have no control, their property, becomes untenanted, they

in truth was

are still liable for what

only intended to be in lieu of

or occu

an

ar

assessment or such taxes as upation would only have justified

or created; a principle of

levying By

taxes which, whilst it imposes a

burden on

Landlords when they are least able to bear it ; nust chack the investment of capital in the felong

hardship

" in the Colony in any shape,

Sotting aside, therefore, all cases of individual

in Leases and Tenure of Lond in the Colony, Imepectfully submit that the principle of raising funds

the

by aw excessive ground rent in liew of all other systion

affair of taxation is calculated to oppress the more of the Colony and depressed, and this operates every day the

a reaction, and in times of prosperity

more

against

- fairly tax those who ought to be taxed,or

does not

it

yield.

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