No. 142
Hongkong.
Sir,
Enclosure 2.
1913
03.47
Government House
470
16399
Rad 9 MAY 041
Hongkong, 31st March, 1904.
I have the honour to transmit for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure Ordinance No. 2 of 1904 entitled an Ordinance to further amend The New Territories Land Court Ordinance No. 18 of 1900, together with the usual report by the Attorney-General.
2.
This Ordinance repeals Ordinance No. 22 of 1903 which formed the subject of my Despatch No. 578 of the 18th December last, and the object of the fresh legislation is to enable each Member of the Land Court sitting alone to hear and determine any claim to land.
3.
Shortly after Mr. Bruce Shepherd and Mr. Clementi took over the work of the Land Court they reported to me that it was improbable that one year would suffice to conclude the mass of work involved in the land settlement of the New Territory. Further investigation convinced me that that period would be very largely exceeded unless special steps were taken to expedite the work, and I have accordingly made the following arrangements which I now report for your approval.
The Land Officer has at my request resigned his appointment as Member of the Land Court. He will devote
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
...
800.
800.
BC...