CO129-281 - Governor Sir Robinson & Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [1-3] — Page 204

a

position to do so.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Most Obedient

Humble Servant,

Meach

insurl

Administering the Governments:

:

辈

COPY.

ENCLOSURE.

Minute by the Attorney General,

198

5/24

PEOP

Re 14 WV 98

Hon. Colonial Secretary.

My minute of 11.8.97 explained fully the

course to auopt.

have occurred.

Had not Mr. Sharp died this delay would not

Under the Crown Lands Resumption urdinance (23 of 1889) the Governor has first to negotiate with the

owner, and on failure of these negotiations, can give written notice that the land will be resumed at the expiration of

4 months from the publication of the notice.

Now Mr. Sharp having died, the negotiations

with the owner cannot be well said to have taken place and

failed, for we cannot say who the owner is and, at present, the executors have not taken out Probate in Hong-Kong. The

Governor's offer was conveyed to Messrs. Linstead and Davis

as "Agents for the executors of Edmund Sharp deceased by the Crown Solicitor's letter of 8th.October 1897, to which

Messrs. Johnson, Stokes & Master replied on 11th. October, pointing out that Mr. Sharp died on 20th. September and that none of those whom they had reason to suppose to be his

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excentors