Q.
Mr. Cleverly states that the arable land in Kowloon amounts to over 286 acres, all of which appear to be held by Chinese under deeds or title deeds which are in some cases incorrect and generally incorrect.
In order to enable the Government to deal with these occupants, Mr. Cleverly proposes to post up at the Police station, and at his office, a map of the District showing the area, number of each plot, and its name and value in Chinese. To employ the Police to ascertain the name of each burner or occupier and the area claimed by him, and to register these particulars in English and Chinese and endorse them on a ticket to be furnished by the Commissioners.
Where a purchase by the Government is decided, the above ticket is to be produced at the Surveyor General's office. He proposes to adopt similar arrangements in respect to lands under lease, and to registry and endorsement of tickets. And when this has been done, to employ an Officer of the Surveyor General's Department to define the boundaries. He suggests that the rent should be $1 per mow (equal to #6 per acre) and that the Government should have a right of purchase for the purpose.