(c.) The original Bill was framed for the purpose of enabling existing titles to be verified and authenticated by certificate from the Crown, and for preventing occupation of land after refusal of such certificate without a fresh grant from the Crown. (See section 12.) The amended Bill by section 15 confiscates to the Crown all the land in the New Territories, disregards all former titles, however old or well founded, and declares all occupants of land in the New Territories trespassers from a date to be hereafter defined by the Governor unless they obtain fresh titles from the Crown.
637 (d) The original Bill was in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Convention of the 9th June, 1898, for the cession of the New Territories. The amended Bill disregards and sets aside the provision of the said Convention against expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the district included in the cession and declares the whole soil to be the property of the Crown.
(e.) The original Bill permitted parties to be represented by Counsel and Solicitor before the Court thereby constituted. The amended Bill takes away that right.
6. The amended Bill has not been published in the Gazette; has never been translated into Chinese nor published anywhere in the New Territory. It is a Bill that seriously affects existing private rights and against which all parties affected have the right to be heard by Counsel. No opportunity has been afforded thei of even knowing that such a Bill is under consideration.
7. For the above reasons I protest against the further proceeding with this amended Bill. It should be re-introduced and read a first time. It should be translated into Chinese, duly published in the New Territory, and ample time given the owners and occupiers of land there to consider it and if need be oppose it. 8. I further protest against the Bill as a whole and on its merits as being in violation of the provisions of the Convention of the 9th June, 1898, relating to the New Territories.
(Signed) It Whitehead
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
HONGKONG, 22nd March, 1900,
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