tions of Sale, etc. Modifications were approved by Government in 26 cases, and the terms thereof registered against the lots concerned.
Surrenders of Crown Land
14. 179 Deeds of Surrender comprising 224 lots or sections of lots were prepared and put through by the Land Office. The total amount paid by the Government in respect of these were $1,050,524.
Acquisition of Land by Charities
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15. The Charities (Land Acquisition) Ordinance, 1958, provides that land shall not be assured to or for the benefit of or acquired or possessed by or on behalf of or for the benefit of any charity as defined in the Ordinance or assured, acquired or possessed for any charitable purpose, otherwise than under the authority of a licence granted by the Governor. 23 such licences were granted during the year, all but one to religious bodies for chapels, ministers' quarters and other religious purposes, and for non-profit making schools. The other licence was granted to a Clan Association in respect of premises to be used as its office and meeting rooms. 18 licences were in respect of flats or floors in buildings, three in respect of lots in the urban area totalling 15,524 sq. ft., and two in respect of lots in the New Territories totalling 191,451 sq. ft.
Card Index of Owners and Mortgagees
16. Besides complete card indexes to all lots and sections of lots, the Land Office maintains an index, not open to the public, of all persons registered as the owner or mortgagee of land in the Colony. According to this there were on 31st March, 1960, 47,926 landowners (excluding mortgagees), Many of these own several properties, many simply a small undivided share in a property coupled with the right to a flat as described in paragraph 6 above.
Safe Custody of Deeds, Wills, Etc.
17. Under Section 22 of the Land Registration Ordinance deeds, wills, etc., may be deposited in the Land Office for safe custody. A fee of $15.00 is normally payable in respect of each document so deposited, but where two or more instruments relate to the same property, the charge is $15.00 for the first instrument and $2.00 for each additional instrument. 18 deposits were made during the year.
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