CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9] — Page 396

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purchased a house, and subsequently two more, within the reserved area, which he has continued to occupy in conjunction with his various wives and children. I may rofer in this connection to Sir F. Lugard's Confidential Despatch of the

4th June, 1908, in which this case is dealt with at length, 24849

though in another comection. In paragraph 4 of that despatch

it is show that Sir R. Ho Tung sent his family to the Peak

in the first instance and subsequently resided there himself,

and it is stated that there was nothing to prevent him from

doing so. I am advised that under the strict interpretation

of the Ordinance this is the case; that the consent of the Governor-in-Council is not a necessary condition of occup-

ation by Chinese of his own house at the Peak. This Govern-

ment has not hitherto overtly admitted the point, though no

steps were taken as regards Sir R. Ho Tung.

5.

That case has hitherto remained an isolated

one, but there are now indications that other Chinese are

proposing to follow Sir R. Ho Tung's example. Kr. Ho Kom-

tong, Sir R. Ho Tung'a brother, recently purchased the house

"Lysholt", referred to in my Confidential Despatch of the

Sor 35233. 25th May last. This Government subsequently acquired the

house in circumstances which I am reporting in a separate

despatch, but I an informed that Mr. Ho Kom-tong is now negotiating for other Peak property. A day or two ago Sir R. Ho Tung purchased two semi-detached houses at the Peak, at present housing two married Europeans, which, according to report, he proposes to make into one house and present to his daughter on her forthcoming marriage with a Chinese; and I understand that other Chinese are enquiring for proper-

ty in the Peak District. Sir R. Ho Tung has recently deposited plans in the Building Office for a very large house which he proposes to build for his own occupation upon the me really good site still vacant at the Peak. In paragraph

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