§ 92. Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Trinidad Turf Club, British West Indies, has requested a lease for 99 years from the Trinidad Government of the Queen's Park Savanna, an open public space in Port of Spain, handed over no years ago for recreational purposes to all the subjects of the Crown and that the Trinidad Government proposes to introduce legislation granting this lease to a private turf club; what action he intends to take to prevent this; and whether he will direct that the present licence to hold races in the Savanna granted to this turf club should be tightened and more stringently scrutinised.
§ Mr. George HallThe Legislative Council of Trinidad by unanimous vote has passed an ordinance authorising the Governor to grant 60 years' leases of six and three acres respectively to the Trinidad Turf Club and the Arima Race Club. 93W The total area of the Queen's Park Savanna is 201 acres. The Governor-has undertaken that the leases should contain a covenant enabling him to determine them on 12 months' notice, on paying compensation if the public interest requires.
I understand that this legislation will not affect the present use of the Savanna by the public and that it involves no change in the present situation other than that the land occupied by buildings will be leased to the clubs, who are at present tenants at will. I have not yet received the ordinance.