CO129-628-8 Lanto Island for Trappist Monastery 1-3-1951 - 31-5-1951 — Page 5

1

Secretariat file No. 26/3181/50.

SAVINGRAM

To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

From the Governor, Hong Kong.

51

Ent

Th

20

March, 1951..

Date

327

No.....

I request your approval of the grant by private treaty of about 73 acres of land at TAI SHUI HANG near Silver Mine Bay, Lantao Island to Dom Paulinus Lee, Titular Prior of the Cistercian Monastery of Our Lady of Liesse, otherwise known as the Trappist Order, for the purpose of establishing a monastery and farm on the following conditions

2.

(1) Usual New Territories Lease of 75 years

from 1st July 1898 renewable for a further 24 years less the last 3 days.

(2) A nominal premium of $1.

(3) Normal agricultural Crown rent of $8 per

acre per year, with a proviso that the Crown reserves the right to reassess the rent for any land built over.

(4) Building to be restricted to a maximum

area of 100,000 square feet.

(5) No specific Building Covenant.

(6) Restriction on user to the purposes of a

monastery and farm.

(7) Prohibition against assignment, mortgage,

sub-lease or other alienation, except with the consent of the Governor.

(8) Reversion to the Crown without compensation

in the event of any breach of the conditions.

The Order desires to settle on Lantao Island, having had its monastery in North China taken over by the Government. It has selected barren hillside with a poor water supply and I hope that it will provide an impressive demonstration of what can be done under most unpromising conditions.

3.

I consider that this grant merits your approval. Executive Council agrees.

x

DCB: khf

27 MAR 1951

P

P

1951 54439/34

J