374
is a Portuguese lady also well dressed. They do not move in European society, but are frequently seen on public occasions such as Flower Shows, mingling with the crowd of well-dressed people. These particulars are necessary in order that the case should be thoroughly understood.
5. Before concluding the arrangement, I thought that, as they were not people who could visit at Mountain Lodge, I ought to consider the Governor, who might perhaps not care to have them for such close neighbours. It being Sunday afternoon I went across to Mountain Lodge to tell Sir Frederick and Lady Lugard in a friendly way who had taken the house. This was done informally as a neighbourly act, which I should have done if any one not of good social position had taken it: in fact as a social duty, and I imagined it was so understood. I should say however that beyond the social standing there was nothing in any way which could have rendered their tenancy objection- able to the Governor, and I understood that he had no social objection. Something was said about the Peak Reservation Ordinance; I said laughingly that would not apply to Mr. Ho Tung.
- 3.2%, porn,
6. I should say at this point that I had never had occasion to look at this Ordinance. I knew of its existence in a vague
7
way but presumed it to be a relic of the early days of the Peak, which had fallen into disuetude. I did not connect Mr.
Ho Tung with it in my way, knowing that he lived on the Peak; and if I thought at all about the matter it passed out of my mind both on this account and because Mr. Mal tl and would not have introduced him to me as a tenant had he there been any legal objection to the tenancy.
>
7. On the following day I received a visit from Mr. Ho Tung Secretary, who was instructed to ask me whether I thought he came within the Peak Reservation Ordinance. I then looked at the law, and found to my surprise that it was passed in 1904, that it prohibited owners from letting their houses on the Peak
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.