CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12] — Page 370

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very reluctant to forego it. The argument as to low rentals

is not a sound one. It is true that, until recently Sir Paul

Chater and other land-holders have had to offer their houses

in the Eastern District at low rentals to attract tenants,

rents are now at a high figure. In order, however, to meet

the views of the Marine Lot-holders it might be possible to

give up the premium in return for a higher Crown Rent. A premium of 25 cents a square foot is equal to $10,800 an

acre, which at 25 years purchase is 8432 a year. The Crow

$500 Rent proposed is 400 an acre, and as a compromise this $700 might be raised to g600 an acre, which would have the desir-

-able effect of adding a sum of $200 an acre to the permanent

revenue of the Colony. At the same time the Government might make further conditions that in return for giving up the

premium the houses should be of a certain type and be con-

-structed of specified materials, and that the rents to be charged should not be increased beyond fixed limits without

the consent of the Goverment.

Endlosure Enclosure &

4.

10.

#.

In the new town of Shamshuipo which is

rapidly rising on the reclaimed land, and replacing the

collection of miserable hovels that existed there before, a

good type of house is being built. I enclose two photographs showing the old type of houses now being demolished, and two photographs showing some of the new houses at Shamshuipo,

and in Landale Street, Praya East, Victoria. The principal

merits that these possess are that they are practically rat

proof, and that there is plenty of light and air to each

floor. There is still a considerable area of land unbuilt on,

and provision has been made for extending the reclamation

next year.

11.

My proposal is that the Government

should advance money if required for the purpose of erecting

houses

but!!