1
615
first period (or 62 per cent for the 16 years taken as
one
period) and this notwithstanding the resumption of 10 acres of the City of Victorià in 1894,on, account of the Plague, and the loss of Crown Rents by the purchases of the Military and Naval Authorities.
shew
The next period ending 1906 will unquestionably a still greater percentage, of increase owing to the present, rapid growth of the Colony, and the creation of Crown Rents from the deve- lopment of the Prays Reclamation, all work being done, in the Land Office.
11.
The number of documents of title registered from 1844 to 1882 December were 12,060, and from the latter date to the present time 14,120.
12.
These statistics shew that considerably more work
has had to be done, in the Land Office during the last 17
years than during the preceding 39 years, and that this increase
rate of work must necessarily contime with the expansion of the Colony.
13
I may mention that when I first took charge of the Land Office it was located in the Surveyor General's Department,
but on the Land Office being transferred to the Supreme Court, Department, in 1883 I was given the asistance
asistence
of one Chinese Clerk, Mr. J.C.Wong, who is a valuable Officer
of the Government, and but for him, and his willing extra help
I could not have carried on the work so long as I have done. I trust I have made it sufficiently clear that the asistence I now recommend is urgently required.
14.
I have etc.,
The Honourable
F.H.May, C.M.G.
Acting Colonial Secretary.
(Sd.) Bruce Shepherd.
Deputy Land Officer.