Pros.
305
5.
In order to endeavour to arrive at an under-
-standing in the matter, I had an interview with His Excellency
the General Officer Comanding and the Chief Engineer, South China,
on the subject. General Anderson referred me to the correspondence, copy enclosed, concerning the lease of War Department land at
North Point and of an area temporarily let to a contractor who is
carrying out certain Military works. In the former case a bungalow formerly occupied by a Military Officer is built on the
site and tuis bungalow was, on the departure of the officer from
am Emcreachment fore. the Colony, sold to a civilian who now pays ground-rent to the
Military Authorities.
As regards the second case I may remark that
no objection has ever been raised to the temporary leasing of War Department land to contractors engaged upon Military works.
I said that in my opinion the arrange..ent in
regard to the land at North Point is irregular and should not be
drawn into a precedent.
6.
General Anderson and Colonel St. John were
unable to adopt my view in this matter, but they admitted that in
the case of the lease of War Department land the rent and any taxes imposed on buildings should be paid to the Colonial Government.
Such an arrangement would not meet my object- -ion to what I cannot but regard as an undesirable departure from settled policy, and I shall be glad to receive your instructions
in the matter.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
Governor, &c..
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