CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6] — Page 453

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3. I approve of the embodiment in future leases of Crown Lands of the conditions suggested by General Black in the latter part of the last paragraph of his despatch; and I am therefore unable to approve of the proposed exceptional treatment of the lands on the Praya Reclamation.

4. I should be glad if you would communicate my decision to the writers of the various letters enclosed in the despatch under acknowledgment.

Governor,

SIR H. A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.,

ye..

HONGKONG,

No. 124.

40..

je.

I have, &c.,

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

DOWNING STREET,

5th July, 1899.

SIR-With reference to my telegram of the 23rd ultimo, relative to the leasing of Crown Lands in Hongkong, I have the honour to point out to you that in my despatch No. 132 of the 23rd May 1898, 1 decided that future leases should be for periods not exceeding seventy-five or at the outside ninety-nine years.

2. In my despatch No. 320 of the 9th December last, I accepted the suggestion made in Major-General Black's despatch No. 284 of the 6th October last, viz. that in the case of lenses for seventy-five years it should be definitely laid down that the original lessee or the assignee in possession, ou the expiration of the term, should be offered the renewal of the lease for a further period of seventy-five years upon such an advance of Crown Rent as is justified by the then value of the land and without fine, and that, if the land should be resumed by the Government for any public purpose, compensation for improvements and disturbance should be awarded to the lessee or assignee.

3. Accordingly when you telegraphed on the 9th ultimo asking whether I had given assent to "renewal of lease of land at expiration, subject to re-adjustment of rent in perpetuity after expiration of each term " I replied by telegraph on the 12th ultimo as follows:-

*

Your telegram of 9th June not clearly understood; leases should be renewable

for limited periods, not in perpetuity”.

4. On the 17th ultimo you telegraphed "Referring to your telegram of 12th June are leases of laud renewable ad infinitum for periods of seventy-five years", and I replied on the 23rd ultimo "In answer to your telegram of 17th June renewal for one term only, not in perpetuity".

Governor,

Sir H. A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.,

fe.,

fc.

I have, &c.,

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

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