:
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give you a somewhat fuller explanation than is therein
contained of the principal objects of the Ordinance, which
J
are as follows:-
(a).
To facilitate the transfer of
land in the New Territories by instituting a method of
conveyancing simpler, cheaper, and more suitable to the
very small agricultural holdings there than is the system
at present in force in the Colony, where transfers of land
are a cumbrous and expensive procedure, which can only be
effected with professional assistance. Under the Ordinance
all deeds of transfer, mortgage and lease will be carried
out according to statutory forms attached thereto at the
District Land Offices and without cost to the parties ex-
-cept for the statutory fee. There will be two such offices
one at Tai Po for the part of the New Territories on the
mainland North of New Kowloon, and one in Hongkong for New
Kowloon, Lantao and other Islands near Hongkong. It is
intended to provide by regulations that all transactions
shall be completed by the parties personally in the pre-
-sence of one of the Assistant Land Officers who will thus
be in a position to see that each party is being fairly
dealt with and no professional assistance will be allowed.
All deeds made under the Ordinance will be exempt from
Stamp