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upon to pay rent in advance of the inhabitants in another district; and if there were a simultaneous collection, but only one supervising Officer, the irregular visits which that Officer could pay to the collecting centres would not constitute an adequate check.
5.
The objections to the alternative scheme which I have pointed out and the fact that the existing method, which has been developed along lines laid down from the first days of British rule in the New Territories, has in conjunction with the powers conferred under Section 40 of the New Territories Land Ordinance (No. 3 of 1905) resulted in a larger amount of Crown Rent being collected within the past six months than had been previously collected in the corresponding periods in former years (there now being only $5,210 outstanding out of over $80,000 and most of that being due from non-resident Crown Lessees) confirm me in my opinion that whatever theoretical objections may be advanced, that method is the one best adapted to secure the punctual, regular and speedy payment of the taxes due from the rural population who know the Police Officers in their districts and evince towards them a considerable amount of respect and confidence.
6.