COPY.
64
to ascertain are as follows:-
The seashore at Sha U Chung was acquired by the Wai Leung Kuk or Local Council representing the Shap Pat Heung or Eighteen Villages from the Ng Chan several years ago.
The deed of conveyance of the property was duly registered and stamped by the San On Magistrate. The deed is in the possession of Pun Chuk Sam, on behalf of the Kuk, whose grandfather and father held it before him on behalf of the Kuk.
The Shap Pat Heung successfully opposed a subsequent claim to the shore by some parties from the Kwai Sin District.
In this dispute blows were resorted to and men killed on both sides.
The Wai Leung Kuk in virtue of its ownership of the shore instituted a toll of 20 cash per head on all passengers, embarking or landing on passage boats running from Sha U Chung to other places, and of 6 cents on each head of cattle shipped from Sha U Chung, and only passage boats owned or authorised by the Kuk were permitted to use the shore.
The average of passengers who paid toll was about 195 per diem for the year, and the average of cattle shipped was 4000 a year. Other cargo paid no toll.
The members of the Council were appointed from time to time by the San On Magistrate.
Pun Chuk Sam was formerly a member of the Wai Leung Kuk for nearly 2 years, and Pun Sik Man's uncle was also formerly a member.
The latter at one time lent the Kuk a sum of money, and the Kuk handed the Title Deeds to the shore over to him as...