CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 503

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

છે

that may on deliberate consideration be deemed necessary, and that should it be sub- sequently found practicable to dispense with any portion, that portion should not be disposed of by sale, hire, or otherwise, by the military department, but be reported to and it the Secretary of State, to be appropriated as he may think proper appears to my Lords (Treasury), that this principle equally applies to ground rents belonging to a Colonial Government upon lands required for the defence of the Colony

B

The Serretary of State for the Colonies accepted this view, and accordingly gave 10a instructions to the Governor of this Colony to withdraw the claim for Crown rent on Messrs. Gemmell's premises.

In view, however, of the circular despatch respecting Colonial military lands and buildings, dated 30th December, 1894, the circumstances under which the military anthorities acquire, hold, and dispose of properties have so completely changed, that the foregoing principle, based on the circumstance that the military authorities could not dispose of any land no longer required by them, does not now seem applicable.

Following the spirit of your Lordship's circular despatch above referred to, I am of opinion that no cash payment should be required of the military authorities in respect of Crown rent, but that in such cases as the military or naval authorities purchase lands or other property subject to Crown rent, the amount of the Crown rent should be annually entered to the credit of the Colony in the special account referred to in paragraph 4 of the circular despatch.

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

No. 6.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office,

fice or Individual.

Wan

1898

22 Feb

previous Paper.

6205-

493

DOMESTIC.

No.

song long

4123

Red 22 FEB 98

4123

(Subject.)

depener agst Forpedo Caft

Exquires whether reply hor ben

Reed from Colony

Sir,

Hong Kong 2 4744

3rd August, 1895. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the

10525 receipt of your letter of the 4th ultimo, t and, in reply, to acquaint you,

95 for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, that in regard to the claim of the Government of Hong Kong to the Crown rent of the land formerly held by Mr. Findlay Smith, but recently taken over by this department for military purposes, he concurs with the view expressed in your letter under reply, and recognizes the right of the Colony, under the terms of the circular despatch, to take credit for the rent, thus foregone (about 127. 10s. a-year); but he considers that, instead of recording the rent as a credit annually as suggested, it would be a simpler course (and, as the land is required by this department permanently, would have practically the same effect) to capitalize the rent at, say, 25 years' purchase, with a view to recording the value in the special account.

I am to request the favour of a further communication ou this subject.

C.O. No.

Sir,

13515

95

Hong Kong 2

4749

No. 7.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Hong Kong 2

+

4744

G. LAWSON,

Downing Street,

8th August, 1895.

In reply to your letter, No.

of the 3rd instant, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to state that as the land formerly held by Mr. Findlay Smith will be required permanently for military purposes, he concurs in the proposal that the rent of it should be capitalized at 25 years' purchase, the Hong Kong Government to be credited with the amount in the special account. The land will, however, remain subject to the Crown lease in other respects.

JOHN BRAMSTON.

* See paper headed "Circulars issued by Colonial Office," &c., (A 390].

↑ No. 5.

No. 6.

A

bsequent Paper.

5886

(Minutes.)

Sir W. Hamille

No direct

ree? to desp?

was voted

07 A

no

que

response

F

has been

6205, but $30,000

this year's Estimates

to that despt (see

2. footnote on his wife Estimates

27373). That

in 2

That is less than

"about £4000 " which

be available befor

asked to

3154

St March 1890.

but perhaps it will be enough to go

on with.

? Infan W.0.as

an

at A adding

oversight they

at the time the Ext:

when it will be m

$30,000 to be

15th

were nee

necessary,

6th Mil ranthin

Jor

that

not enigd

? dark

This sum

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