Colonial Office No.54051/48. Sect. file No.7/1996/49.
SAVINGRAM
To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
(5)on' (6)..
48
it
Date
February, 1950.
No.
181
16
End
Paras. 3 and 4 of my despatch No.180 of 24th July, 1948
and your savingram No.910 of 9th September, 1948.
Sale of Crown Leases by private treaty in undeveloped parts
of New Territories.
1.
I have approved a grant by private treaty of 8925 sq.ft. of land to the Lam Tsuen School Committee for the purpose of erecting a school at Fong Ma Po near Tai Po in the New Territories. The premium is a nominal one of $1.50 but normal Crown rent @ $200.00 per acre will be charged. The school is estimated to cost $39,000 of which the inhabitants of the neighbourhood have contributed $15,000. The balance will be met out of public funds. The grant is subject to the condition that in the event of the land being used for other than educational purposes, the land shall revert unconditionally to the Crown and the cost of the removal of the buildings thereon shall be borne by the Chairman of the School Committee.
2.
An urgent decision was required in this case, because of the need for an increase in the number of subsidized schools in the New Territories, mainly one roomed buildings in the poorer districts, and because of the shortness of the building season.
3.
The Registrar General has suggested that you may have intended to confine the authority communicated in your savingram under reference to sales of land by private treaty for educational purposes at a market value premium, and to exclude grants at a nominal or reduced premium.
40
I would therefore be glad of your confirmation of the particular grant now made, and that the authority referred to above may be considered to cover free grants or grants at a nominal or reduced premium in cases where I consider that such a concession is desirable.
DCB:kcw.
&
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