CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6] — Page 489

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settlement is now complete and that titles have been issued,

I considered that it was reasonable to increase the Crown

Rent for agricultural land, which, for the purposes of the

Rough Rent Roll hitherto in use, was fixed in the New Ter-

-ritory at the low rates of $1.50, $1,and $0.50 per acre

for 1st., 2nd., and 3rd. class padi land respectively.

After careful consideration I decided to raise these rates

to $3, $2, and $1 per acre, and also to impose a Crown Rent

of $1 and 50 cents, according to class, for land covered

with houses.

In New Kowloon (i.e. that part of

the Kowloon Peninsula which was until the Convention of

1898 Chinese Territory) higher rates for agricultural land,

viz.:- $5, $2 and $1 per acre, were originally fixed owing

to the proximity of the land to the Hongkong Market. The

rate for 1st. class land is considered sufficient, but for

2nd. and 3rd. class land I have increased the rates to $3

and $1.50 per acre. For land covered by houses the Crown

Rent in New Kowloon has been fixed at $250, $150 and $100

per acre for 1st., 2nd. and 3rd. class respectively. The

large majority of existing houses fall under the 2nd. and

3rd. classes and the rates come to $2 and $1 a house per

annum.

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