TNAG-0672-FCO40-821-Legislation-for-Crown-lands-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 158

C.S. 84

RESTRICTED

7

3.

XCR(77)53

(d) if the petitioner is allowed to repossess the lots, it

would assist the local ship-building industry.

In considering the petition, the following points are relevant:

(a) The letter of 14th January 1969 from the District

Officer, Tsuen Wan, addressed to Mr Tong and referred to in paragraph 5 of the petition, mentioned the possibility of allowing him to continue to occupy the two lots on an annual tenancy basis commencing from the date of re-entry, (as has been done in the case of several other of the North Tsing Yi boatyards which got into similar difficulties). This proposal was re- jected by the petitioner in his letter dated 25th January 1969.

(b) Contrary to the statement made in paragraph 7 of the

petition, the Director of Marine has confirmed that the petitioner's company, the Consolidated Salvage and Engineering Company is no longer an approved con- tractor on the Government Dockyard list, and the Director of Public Works has also confirmed that the company has had no Government working orders since 1973.

(c) The decision of Council in 1963 was to sell by tender

leases of areas of foreshore and seabed situated on the north coast of Tsing Yi Island for ship/boat building and repairing to those who genuinely intended to engage in this trade.

(d) The two lots are due to be disposed of by public tender

within the next two to three months; so that the

petitioner can, if he wishes, submit a tender in the usual way.

(e) The present market value of the two lots, with use

restricted to ship/boat building and repairing, is higher than the premium realised on their first sale in 1964 and is estimated to be $1 million.

(f) If the petition were allowed, it would be appropriate

for the petitioner to pay all the outstanding instalments of premium, together with such costs as an adminis - trative fee, outstanding Crown rent, registration fees for re-entry and cancellation and a penalty etc, the total sum of which could not in the circumstances be

less than the market value of the lots.

RESTRICTED