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received the benefit of all the various extensions the original com- mencement or completion periods laid down in individual Exclusion Orders or the periods laid down in individual building covenants would in all cases be reintroduced. These periods would then commence to run afresh from the expiry of the previous free extensions as if they were being newly imposed. The latest concessions, however, would not apply in respect of any industrial sale lot with an uncompleted building covenant which had been the subject of an assignment under the terms of the concession announced by Government in July 1968 (see para- graph 34).
New Territories Section
46. The New Territories Section of the Registrar General's Depart- ment gives on the spot legal advice to the New Territories Adminis- tration at its own Headquarters. It is staffed by a Senior Solicitor, an Assistant Registrar and two experienced Land Office clerks.
Crown Leases
47. When the purchaser or grantee of Crown land has complied with all the conditions of the sale or grant, he becomes entitled to a Crown lease of the lot and has to take up the lease when called upon by the Land Officer to do so. In many cases, however, the Land Office finds it difficult to persuade owners to take up their Crown leases when ready. This is because the taking up of a Crown lease involves an owner in a certain amount of trouble and expense. Although the standard fee for a Crown lease is only $175, it is necessary where there is a mortgage or other incumbrance on the property to employ a Solicitor to clear the title and reinstate the mortgage or incumbrance after issue. Since the Crown is the lessor, the vast majority of owners are usually content to allow their title to rest on the Conditions of Sale, Regrant, Exchange, etc., on which they hold their property, and such titles are in practice universally recognized as good marketable titles.
48. Notwithstanding the reluctance of many owners to take up their Crown leases, the number of Crown leases issued in 1968-69 rose to 484, the highest total in any post-war year.
49. The lots for which leases were issued were of the following categories:
18