CO129-275 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [1-5] — Page 561

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

the Crown represented by the colonial Government but it was one of which the War Department had right of perpetual user for purposes of defence and the "Buildings" on such lands.

Now it seems to me, with all deference, that, looking to the fact the Military Authorities, if possibly bringing themselves within the case, cannot construe the above language.

"This Government agreed not to permit the erection of any buildings which would interfere with the efficiency of the defence, but, subject to that, the user and possession of the Land remained vested in the Government and was not transferred to the Military Authorities at all.

It seems to me, therefore, that the species of easement enjoyed by the Military Authorities could not possibly be regarded as a right of user of the land. It was intended to secure to them a right or privilege, not a perpetual right, but one that was only to last for such a period as the restriction against building continued to be necessary.

In conclusion, I would point out that if the contention of the Military Authorities were correct, the absurd consequence would follow that all the houses in the quarry village of Sai Wan, the inhabitants of which pay rent and taxes to the Government, would have to be considered as Military Buildings and valued as such, and their value would have to be credited to the Military Authorities, if the latter at any time brought fit to dispense with the restriction against building and to release the village from the reserve.

There are all the observations which

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the Crown represented by the colonial Government but it was one of which the War Department had right of perpetual user for purposes of defence and the "Buildings" on such lands. Now it seems to me, with all deference, that, looking to the fact the Military Authorities, if possibly bringing themselves within the case, cannot construe the above language. "This Government agreed not to permit the erection of any buildings which would interfere with the efficiency of the defence, but, subject to that, the user and possession of the Land remained vested in the Government and was not transferred to the Military Authorities at all. It seems to me, therefore, that the species of easement enjoyed by the Military Authorities could not possibly be regarded as a right of user of the land. It was intended to secure to them a right or privilege, not a perpetual right, but one that was only to last for such a period as the restriction against building continued to be necessary. In conclusion, I would point out that if the contention of the Military Authorities were correct, the absurd consequence would follow that all the houses in the quarry village of Sai Wan, the inhabitants of which pay rent and taxes to the Government, would have to be considered as Military Buildings and valued as such, and their value would have to be credited to the Military Authorities, if the latter at any time brought fit to dispense with the restriction against building and to release the village from the reserve. There are all the observations which
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"the Crown represented by the colonial Government but it but of which the War "Department hos right of perpetual a uver for purposes of defence and the "Buildings. of on such lands. # Now it seems to me, with all deference, that, looking to the fact the Military Authorities if possibly bring themwelver within the case, cannot the above language . "This Government a greed not to permit the erection of any buildings which would uiterfere with the efficiency of the defence, but, onlyect to that, the user and possession of the Land remained vested in the Govern. - want and was not transferred to In thorities at all. the Mi Military It seans to me, therefore, that the species of ensement enjoyed by the Military Authorities could I regarded in a right not possi possibly be regarded of user of the land. It secure to 553 we also that the right or privilege possessed by the Military Authorities could not be regarded as a perpetual right, but intended to last for such a was only period bo the striction a ing continued to be aganist build- necessary. In conclusion I would point out that if the contention of the Mili= -tary Authorities were correct, the abourd consequence would follow that all the houses in the which quarry village of Sai Waw, the inhabitants of pay rent and taxes to the Government, would have to be considered as Mili. and valued as such and their value would have to be tary Buildings credited to the Military Authorities, if the latter at any time brought fit to dispense with the restriction against building and to release the village from the reserve. There are all the observations which
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"the Crown represented by the colonial Government but

it but of which the War

"Department hos right of perpetual

a

uver for purposes of defence and the "Buildings.

of

on such lands.

#

Now it seems to me, with

all deference, that, looking to the fact

the Military Authorities if possibly bring themwelver within

the case, cannot

the above language .

"This Government a greed not to permit the erection of any buildings which would uiterfere with the efficiency of the defence, but, onlyect to that, the user and possession of the Land remained vested in the Govern. - want and was not transferred to

In thorities at all.

the Mi

Military

It seans to me, therefore,

that the species of ensement enjoyed by the Military Authorities could

I regarded in a right

not possi

possibly be regarded

of user of the land.

It secure to

553

we also that

the right or privilege possessed by the Military Authorities could not be regarded as a perpetual right, but

intended to last for such a was only period

bo

the striction a

ing continued to be

aganist build- necessary.

In conclusion I would point

out that if the contention of the Mili= -tary Authorities were correct, the abourd consequence would follow that all the houses in the

which

quarry village of Sai Waw, the inhabitants of pay rent and taxes to the Government,

would have to be considered as Mili.

and valued as such

and their value would have to be

tary Buildings

credited to the Military Authorities, if the latter at any time brought fit to dispense with the restriction against building and to release the village from

the reserve.

There are all the observations

which

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