CO129-425 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [10-12] — Page 415

N° 391.

Sir,

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG, 2nd. December, 1915.

I have the honour to inform you that the term

of leases of Crow Land for agricultural purposes in the "ew

Territories is, as a rule, for 75 years from 1st. July, 1898,

ronsable at a re-assessed Crow Rent for 24 years less the Inst

three days. No compensation for improvements is payable on the

termination of the leases because they will not expire until the

expiration of the lease under which the Crown holds the lands from

China, but the leases provide for compensation in the event of the

lande being resumed by the Crow during the continuance of the

lesses.

2.

In annual or short leases for 5 years compensa-

-tion for improvements is provided for, the amount of such con- -pensation to be decided by the Land Officer.

3.

In special cases, as for instance in localiti- -es where development may be expected, the term of agricultural leases, which in ordinary circumstances would be for 75 years renewable as in paragraph 1, has been limited to 21 or 30 years with no provision for compensation for improvements; and I have recently altered this form of lease to one for a uniform term of 21 years with the right to renewal for 7 years, at a reassessed Crom Rent,in lieu of compensation for improvements, provided that!

HE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ANDRES BONAR LAW, M.P.,

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