462
5.
In April, 1903, the Government having decided not to grant titles in respect of the foreshore opposite Kowloon City known as "Claims U and K", and the foreshore on the East side of Kowloon Bay from Ngau-tau-kok to Lyeemun (Lo Lap Pun's claim), these claims were referred back to the Land Court to assess the compensation payable, and I was directed to re-present the Crown before the Land Court on the assessment of such compensation.
6. I accordingly examined the evidence and documents upon which the Land Court had given its decisions, and studied, so far as I was able, the Chinese law bearing upon the subject.
7. Finding that the claimants in the U and K case assessed the value of their right at over $400,000, and that Lo Lap Fun had agreed to sell his claim for $50,000, I requested authority to instruct Counsel, and, as the Attorney-General was unable to appear before the Land Court, I was instructed to retain Mr. Sharp.
8. I accordingly retained Mr. Sharp and prepared a Brief for him as regards the U and K compensation claims. Upon considering which, he advised that the decision of the Land Court was wrong and recommended that the Government should obtain powers by legislation to appeal to the Supreme Court.
9. An Ordinance (No. 13 of 1903) was accordingly passed giving the Crown the right of applying for leave to appeal, and in August 1903 the Attorney-General and Mr. Sharp, on my instructions, moved for and obtained leave to appeal against the decisions of the Land Court in both cases.
10. I did my utmost to bring such Appeals to an early hearing, but met with strenuous opposition from both sets of Respondents, who (having no merits to rely upon) adopted
462
5.
In April, 1903, the Government having
decided not to grant titles in respect of the foreshore opposite Kowloon City known as "Claims U and K", and the foreshore on the East side of Kowloon Bay from Ngau-tau-kok to Lyeemun (fo Lap Pun's claim), these claims were referred back to the band Court to assess the compensation payable, and I was directed to re- present the Crown before the Land Court on the assessment of such compensation.
6. I accordingly examined the evidence and documents upon which the Land Court had given its decisions, and studied so far as I was able the Chinese law bearing upon the
subject.
7.
Finding that the claimants in the U and K
case assessed the value of their right at over $400,000, and
that Bo Lap Fun had agreed to sell his claim for $50,000, 1
requested authority to instruct Counsel, and, as the Attorney- General was unable to appear before the Land Court, I was
instructed to retain Mr. Sharp.
8. 1 accordingly retained Mr. Sharp and pre-
pared a Brief for him as regards the U and K compensation claims
upon considering which he advised that the decision of the
Land Court was wrong and recommended that the Government should
obtain powers by legislation to appeal to the Supreme Court.
c. An Ordinance (No. 13 of 1903) was accord-
ingly passed giving the Crown the right of applying for leave to
appeal, and in August 1903 the Attorney-General and Mr. Sharp on
my instructions moved for and obtained leave to appeal against
the decisions of the Land Court in both cases.
10. I did my utmost to bring such Appeals to
an early hearing, but met with strenuous opposition from both
sets of Respondents, who, (having no merits to rely upon)
adopted
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