CO129-552-8 Kowloon city- expropriation of Chinese property 2-1-1935 - 1-8-1935 — Page 28

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the leased territory and that "if land is required

for public offices, fortifications, or the like

official purpose it shall be bought at a fair price".

The first of these restrictions duly

appeared in the British Order-in-Council of 20th

October 1898 which provided for the govt. of the

leased territories. Article 4 of that Order-in-

Council reads:- "Notwithstanding anything herein

contained the Chinese officials now stationed within

the City of Kowloon shall continue to exercise

jurisdiction therein except in so far as may be

inconsistent with the military requirements for the

defence of Hong Kong".

When in the following months the Hong Kong

Administration proceeded to take over the leased

territory they were met with armed resistance in

the City of Kowloon and the place had to be

Bnrich captured by troops. It was clearly established at

Λ

the time that this resistance was fomented by the

neighbouring Chinese Provincial Authorities at

Canton and it was decided that any retention by

Chinese officials in the City of Kowloon of their

jurisdiction was incompatible with the defence

interests of the Colony.

Accordingly a new Order-

in-Council of 27th December, 1899, was issued which

revoked Article 4 of the previous Order-in-Council

and declared (Article 2): "The City of Kowloon shall

be and the same is hereby declared to be for the term

of the lease in the said Convention mentioned (the

Anglo-Chinese Convention of 1898) part and parcel of

His Majesty's Colony of Hong Kong in like manner and

for all intents and purposes as if it had originally

formed part of the said Colony."

Following