Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 498

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APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE LAND COMMISSION OF 1886-87.'

of a Lease is accepted and a new Lease granted the premium for additional area is assessed by the Surveyor General at such rate as he finds to be the market rate of the day in the particular locality the Lot in question is situated. Do you consider there is any objection or inconvenience to this course being continued and if so what is the nature of the objection or incon- venience?

46. Is it advisable for the Crown to accept surrenders and to grant fresh Crown Leases upon an exparte application and without notice to possible claimants? Or is it desirable to make provisions on the subject so as to do justice to all parties and to have the applicant's Title approved by some competent tribunal before surrenders are accepted?

47. In addition to the Marine and Inland Building Leases for 999 years and Rural Building for 75 years there is another form of Lease called a Farm Lease the extra privileges it confers beyond a Building Lease being the low rate of Crown Rent charged, and the liberty it gives to "turn out cattle, sheep, or other stock upon the "waste or uncultivated bills adjoining" the Lot. Its extra restrictions being the reservation of all timber, trees, and underwood and a covenant not to build except what is required for the purposes of a Farm.

These Lots are now nearly all built upon as if they were Rural Building Lots and ornamental trees and shrubs have been planted upon them, the buildings having been erected with the sauction of the proper Government Officer, but the Lots remain with the restrictions of the Farm Lease and consequently at the lower rent. Is it in your opinion desirable that these restrictions should be removed, and if so upon what terms as to payment of premium and extr. Crown Rent, and how to be assessed and whether the terms should be optional or compulsory..

48. There are also certain Garden Lots at Kowloon granted for 14 years, renewable, to which the same statement and questions apply. Does your opinion include both Farm and Garden Lots and if not, in what respect is there a difference?

49. How are the Lots mentioned in the two last statements dealt with, and what steps does a purchaser take when he purchases a Farm or Garden Lot with a house standing upon it to ascertain that it is not contrary to the terms of the Lease and the sanction of the Government?

50. Ground is also held by squatters under a form of Squatter's Licence. Do you know whether there are any dealings by the squatters among themselves or others selling, mortgaging, or underletting their holdings?

51. If so what title is given or accepted?

52. Do you consider that before underletting his holding a squatter should be compelled to purchase a Lease? If so what class of Lease and upon what terms as to payment of permium and Crown Rent?

58. Do these people keep cattle, pigs, or goats to any extent? If so, do they take out licences? Do they depasture their animals on Government property beyond the ground covered by their licences? If so by what authority and should such a practice if existing be stopped or checked?

54. Land is sold with squatters upon it, licensed or unlicensed, subject to the purchaser compensating them to the satisfaction of the Government. Do you consider this a satisfactory mode of sale?

35. Some ground is held upon Lease for 75 years at a high Crown Rent, and for which a high premium has been paid. Similar or better land is held by licensed squatters at a low rent for which no premium has been paid. What effect have these different tenures upon the value of property, its transfer and occupation?

56. Do you consider that the occupier, not being a trespasser, no matter how low the tenure of his holding, should have an option of purchasing a better tenure against all new comers; if so upon what terms, and how are the terms to be assessed to the best advantage for all classes of Leaseholders?

57. Do you consider that a trespasser after, or before, being assessed on the rate books should also have an option of purchasing the ground he is occupying as such. If so under what circumstances and upon what terms?

58. If such occupier, licensed or unlicensed, be too poor to purchase his lot how would you then propose the property he holds should be dealt with in the event of its being required by an intending purchaser able and willing to pay the market premium of the day and Crown Rent?

59. How are leased lands affected by the 3 classes of squatters viz. :—

(1.) The licensed squatter who pays rates and a low Crown Rent.

(2.) The squatter, unlicensed, who gets on to the rate books and pays rates only, and

(3.) The squatter who pays neither rates nor rent and who as a rule is too poor to pay either?

60. Crown Rents are reserved by every Lease and Licence, viz. Marine, Inland, Farm, Rural Building and Genden Lot Leases and Squatters Licences. Do you consider as regards the Marine and Inland Lot Leases for 999 years and Rural Building Lot Leases for 75 years that advantages would accrue to the Colony generally and the value of property become more assured if the Leaseholders had the option of redeeming their Crown Rents. These Crown Rents vary very consider-