Most of the modifications were wanted to enable the lessee to build blocks of flats. Any questions arising out of the applications are normally discussed and decided at the meetings mentioned in paragraph 17. Many similar applications were received by the New Territories Administration in respect of lots in the New Territories, and during the year the Land Office advised on twenty eight such cases, mainly relating to height restrictions.
Crown Leases
20. Owing to shortage of legal staff and extreme pressure of other work it was once again found necessary to restrict work on the prepara- tion of Crown leases to those cases where for one reason or another it was important that the lease be issued as a matter of urgency. Consequently only 37 Crown leases were issued during the year, the smallest number since 1947-48. The lots for which leases were issued were of the following categories:
Hong Kong Island
Inland Lots, Hong Kong Aberdeen Inland Lots Rural Building Lots
Kowloon
Kowloon Inland Lots
Hung Hom Inland Lots
New Kowloon
New Kowloon Inland Lots
Miscellaneous
Mining Lot
22
23
1
6
1
3
لیا
1
37
Table II shows the numbers of Crown leases issued annually since 1952-53.
21. The slow progress being made on the issue of Crown leases is giving rise to much concern, for it is estimated that there are now over 6,000 lots or sections of lots for which Crown leases are, or will ultimately be, due to be issued in accordance with the Conditions of Sale, etc. under which they are held. Unfortunately, with the fragmenta- tion of lots into multiple ownership it is in some cases hard to imagine that Crown leases will ever be executed by all the owners. In the mean- time the lots are held on the agreements for lease contained in the Conditions of Sale, and as the Crown is the lessor such agreements are universally recognized as giving a good marketable title.
9