“The injurious effects of the present system are but too apparent in the neglected and uncultivated condition of that very great portion of the island which is beyond the immediate influence of the town and suburbs, and where deep solitude and wild nature reign paramount. The island of Singapore measures about fifty miles in circumference, we believe; and yet a very small portion of it is under cultivation, owing, in a great degree, to the high rents required for grants of land. The great depreciation of the value of landed property is another palpably injurious effect arising from the present system. We could point out instances where landed property has been sacrificed, at a great loss to the owners, merely for the sake of getting rid of the heavy burden of the quit-rent with which the land is chargeable. One case to the point will exhibit the matter in a still stronger light. We know of a lot of twenty acres, mostly hill, well situated, contiguous to the town, and under cultivation; there is likewise a substantial dwelling-house, in a commanding situation, which, from its original cost, could not be rented under forty dollars a month, at least: this sum, in twelve months, amounts to four hundred and eighty dollars; but the quit-rent, if a permanent lease be taken out, would be two hundred dollars a year, which leaves two hundred and eighty dollars only to pay the interest of the money originally spent on the property, exclusive of other charges. This property is, however, to be disposed of, at a sum amounting to about one-half of what the owner expended in building on it; yet, with such a reduction, and although the ground is so eligibly situated, no purchasers can be found, solely because the prospect of paying two hundred dollars a year quit-rent, deters those who are willing to purchase, while it makes the owner anxious to part with the property at a great sacrifice. “We believe the local government is fully sensible of the impolicy and ruinous consequences of the present rate of rents; and we understand that the present governor, Mr. Ibbetson, even recommended a reduction, substituting sicca rupees for dollars; but that the Court of Directors would not hear of such a thing, and insisted on a strict observance of all Mr. Fullerton’s regulations, and an adoption of his principles. We need scarcely add, the land-regulations, now under review, were framed by the latter gentleman.