Legal Proceedings against Property Owners
56. In some cases where there is a default in payment of Crown rent or premium, as an alternative to re-entry legal proceedings are instituted against the owner for the recovery of the money due to the Government. During the year, 38 such cases were referred to the Legal Department for legal proceedings to be instituted, and a total sum of $386,504 was recovered in 19 cases, including 4 referred to the Legal Department in the previous year. 23 cases were pending at the end of the year.
Armed Services Lands
57. The Land Office maintains registers of all lands held by the armed services and is responsible for preparing all documents relating thereto. Under the new policy announced by the Government in December 1966, the old Military Lands Account procedure established in the 1890s was superseded by a new arrangement under which the armed services have agreed to return to the Hong Kong Government free of charge any land held by them as soon as it is no longer required for purposes in connection with the defence of the Colony, and the Government has agreed to provide land free to the armed services when it agrees the land is needed. The only transaction relating to armed services land during the year was the surrender by the Principal Secretary of State for Defence to the Hong Kong Government of Rural Building Lot No. 317, on which stands Mount Kellett Hospital, together with three nearby lots occupied by staff quarters. R.B.L. 317 had not been the subject of a private treaty grant from the Crown but had been purchased by the Admiralty from a previous owner, and the Deeds of Appropriation relating to the other three lots provided for com- pensation for the buildings thereon. The Hong Kong Government accordingly paid ex gratia compensation of $500,000 to the Principal Secretary of State for Defence in respect of the surrender of all four lots.
Acquisition of Land by Charities
58. 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. 40 such licences were granted during the year, one to an educational
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