4
A very large establishment for the preparation of Soy for export is in full work at Kowloon City, 1, like the other enterprises I have mentioned, is entirely supported by Chinese capital. I understand rther that the Land Court finds that the customary mortgages, to which much of the agricultural d was formerly subject, are being redeemed on every hand by the landowners, and this I regard as significant of a general advance in the value of property, and of an appreciation of this advance by the villagers themselves.
It is certain that, when the land settlement is further advanced and titles to land settled, progress will be more rapid. Capitalists are quite prepared to invest their capital in various enterprises, but refrain from doing so until they are able to obtain a proper title to the land they wish to purchase.
It must also be remembered that the New Territory has proved a valuable acquisition in certain ys which are not generally remembered, especially by those inclined to decry the extension of the Cony of Hongkong.
As regards water-supply, the water for the Kowloon Peninsula is at present obtained from the ew Territory, and it is difficult to see how the present and future water requirements of the ever- hcreasing population of Kowloon could have been met had not the New Territory come under the gis of Great Britain. It is not too much to say that, without the New Territory, the develop- ent of Kowloon must have been arrested, whereas, through its aid, the continued progress of "owloon is assured. It is also not altogether beyond the bounds of probability that some day it may be necessary to utilise the water from the watershed of Taimo Shan for the supply of the Island of
Hongkong.
I am also informed, by those competent to express an opinion, that Mirs Bay contains some of the est harbours in the world and that it is not necessary to cross the Kowloon Hills to find an ideal
xercising troops.
lways held the opinion that the New Territory was not "a white elephant," as I have not heard unkind critics describe it. Events have already justified the favourable esti- future which I formed and embodied in the Report I wrote after I had visited it for the It is not prudent to prophery unless one is certain, still I venture to predict that before g me inhabitants of this Colony will wonder how even the most arrant pessimist could have held any t the most favourable views regarding the future of the New Territory.
This will be my last report on the New Territory and, in bidding it farewell. I do so with great et, mingled with pleasant reminiscences of conflicting work carried on in the midst of most rming and beautiful scenery, and lessened by the recollection that I have been and still remain a
ch believer in its future.
Staff.
The Departments concerted in the administration of the New Territory during the year have
en :-
The Land Court.
The Magistracy.
The Police.
Indian Survey-Topographical and Cadastral. The Public Works.
The Medical Department.
The Land Court was constituted as follows :-
President,
Member,
Registrar,
Registrar,
Deputy Registrar,
Land Surveyor,
Demarcation Officer,
Demarcation Officer,
:
Chief Clerk in charge of Branch Offices
.H. E. POLLOCK, K.C. ..H. H. J. GOMPERTZ.
J. R. WOD. ..E. D. C. WOLFE.
.CHEUNG Tsor. .B. W. GREY · · ..S. R. MOORE.
.A. J. MACKIE. YAM CHI KA.
Police and Magistracy.-Mr. E. R. HALLIFAX has been in charge of the Police Force with his quarters at Tai Pó; he has also carried on the duties of Police Magistrate.
Indian Survey. Mr. TATE and Mr. NEWLANE up to July 20th, afterwards Mr. NEWLAND in sole
rge.
Public Works-Messrs GALE and HUGHES have been in charge of roads and buildings construction. Medical. Mr. Ho NAI HOP has been Resident Medical Officer at Tái Pó.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
gkong, 22nd March, 1902.
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