CO129-461 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [5-7] — Page 379

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18 AUG 201

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 5th July, 1920.

My Lord,

I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that

an application has been received for an extension of the

lease of Tai O Salt Pans No.1 situated at Tai O in the island

of Lantao.

These pans comprising an area of 37.37 acres, as

shown on the plan attached, were let by auction for 15 years

from the 6th June, 1904, at an annual Crow Rent of 8562. The '

policy of the Goverment with regard to salt being unsettled

when the lease expired last year an extension for one year

only was granted. It would appear that the industry is a struggling one which barely maintains itself in existence and

it is desirable to encourage the expenditure of the consider-į able sums required for the re-building of the bunds and other

repairs by granting a long lease of the area.

There appeared to be no legitimate competition

for these pans and I have, therefore, authorised the issue of a lease for a further period of ten years without auction to

the present lessees under the same conditions as in the past,

and I now submit the matter for Your Lordship's approval.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

&c.. &c..

VISCOUNT MILNER, G.C.B.,

&c.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient,

humble servant,

E. States

Governor,&c.

F