11. The only transaction during the year was the transfer to the Secretary of State for Defence of an area of approximately 30,700 sq. ft. near Tai Lam Chung and So Kwun Wat in the New Territories as an extension to an existing site for military purposes. This was dealt with under the old procedure and the credit of the sum of $15,350 to the Hong Kong Government in the Military Lands Account in respect of the transfer brought to a close the entries in this long established and much debated Account.
Acquisition of Land by Charities
57. The Charities (Land Acquisition) Ordinance 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. 41 such licences were granted during the year, one to a welfare body, 3 to educational bodies, and 37 to religious bodies for miscellaneous religious purposes, non-profit making schools, social welfare purposes, and, in two cases, investment. 22 licences were in respect of flats or floors in buildings in urban areas; two in respect of flats or floors in buildings in the New Territories; nine in respect of lots in urban areas totalling 95,535 sq. ft; and eight in respect of lots in the New Territories totalling 1,918,229 sq. ft.
Sales of Private Properties by the Colonial Treasurer Incorporated
58. Any building to which the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance applies and which is required to be demolished under the Buildings Ordinance may be declared by the Director of Public Works to have become subject to the provisions of the Demolished Buildings (Re- development of Sites) Ordinance. When a re-development notice is thereafter served under the latter Ordinance, the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance ceases to apply to the building and the tenants become entitled to compensation from the owner in accordance with the pro- visions of the Demolished Buildings (Re-development of Sites) Ordin- ance. Final awards of compensation are notified in the Gazette and registered in the Land Office, and must be paid within three weeks of the notification thereof. Upon the registration in the Land Office of a final award the amount of the award and interest accrued thereon constitute, until they are paid, a charge on the property in favour of The Colonial Treasurer Incorporated in trust for the persons entitled to the compensation and interest. During the year The Colonial
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