undertake this work any longer. And as the facilities for
personal inspection by the Assistant Land Officer will be
correspondingly reduced there will be a very serious diminution
in the supervision of Land in the Southern District.
The two new Demarcators are required for
the same two reasons as the Bailiff, i.e. addition of a fresh
District and removal of Police control. At present I have only
one man among my mobile staff who can be trusted to identify
lots. This man has also to serve all my summonses, notices
etc. throughout New Kowloon, including hundreds of Crown Rent
summonses in July and August. Practically he can hardly ever
be spared to go on visits to the Islands. In the Islands his
work is done by the two Police Launches and the Officers in
charge at Tai O and Cheung Chau. One Demarcator will be required
to be stationed at Cheung Chau to patrol East Lantao
and Lamma; the other will be required to divide his time between
Tai O (West Lantao) and the New District.
The work of these Demarcators will, of
course, be largely "messengers work"; but the advantage of their
being able to identify Lots more than makes up for the excess
of their salaries over what would be required for two messengers.
The salaries of the Demarcators ($180 each)
would be more than covered by the allowances now made to
Police