18
At the top of earth banks at the back of the reclamation at Aplichau, a large number of camphore, pines and tristanias had to be felled to allow for the removal of earth and to prevent landslides.
Very large number of pine and other trees were removed from building sites in all parts of the Colony.
Insect pests were much less troublesome than during the preceding year; the pine tree caterpillar made its appearance in small numbers only at Fan Ling, these were immediately collected and destroyed.
Creepers on pine trees in Hongkong and the New Territories were continually cut and removed.
Pine seedlings in pits, which are raised from seed sown in sufficient numbers to allow of the germination of 5 seeds to one pit, were regularly inspected and where found to be thick, the weakest were cut out.
Clearing of undergrowth in connection with anti-malarial measures was maintained throughout the whole year, the total area cleared amounted to 3,400,000 sq. ft.
The total area cleared for surveys by the Public Works Dept. amounted to 3,990,000 sq. ft.
Vegetables and native fruits were grown in the experimental garden at Fan Ling, for demonstration purposes.
The first and second rice crops were very good, pea nuts fair, and sugar-cane and pineapplen very good.
9,835 cases containing 951,605 bulbs of narcissus tazetta, were inspected and certified as apparently free from insect pests and fungoid diseases.
797 plant specimens were mounted during the year, of these 041 were from Kwong Tung Province, 54 from Kwai Chau, and 102 from Australia.
100 Australian specimens were presented by Mr. H. M. Maiden, 1.8.0.. F.R.S., F.L.S.. of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
(e)-LAND GRANTS AND GENERAL VALUE OF LAND.
The net amount of premium received from sales of crown land and pier rights, New Territories excepted, for the year 1921 was $1,591,308.26, an increase of $1,268,093 on the preceding year and $1,035,148 more than the average for the previous five years (1916-1920); the year's result however is abnormal; one item alone exceeds the total of any of the years included for the purpose of comparison.
19
The principal items were $563,000 for Marine Lots Nos. 430 and 431, (North Point), $124,000 (part premium) for Inland Lots Nos. 2310 and 2319, (Queen's Road Central and Pedder Street sitee), $94,000 (part premium) for Inland Lots Nos. 2317 and 2318 (Queen's Road Central and Pedder Street sites), $71,000 for Kow- loon Inland Lot No. 1432, $41,000 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1439, $8,370 for Pier No. 6 and $1,067 for Pier No. 51.
In the New Territories the net amount received for premium on sales of land was $85,591.01, the principal items being $9,295.70 for New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 317 and $6,550 for New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 339, being $144,858.04 less than the year 1920, in which year, New Kowloon Marine Lote Nos. 6 and 7 sold for $150,660 and New Kowloon Marine Lot No. 8 for $51,418.
The number of deads and documents registered in the Land Office was 4,466 and exceeded the total of any previous year by 1061; the aggregate consideration set out in deeds registered was $107,855,703.10 as against $67,493,394 in 1920,
Resumptions include portion of Marine Lot No. 65 (Praya East). Inland Lot No. 358 (Caroline Hill) and Kowloon Farm Lot No. 9.
Development at Shamshuipo continues.
With one exception agreements relating to the Praya East Reclamation were entered into by all entitled to participate,
The total area of land sold or granted during the year was 504a. 3r. 7.91p. of which 5234. Or. 78p. (including 361 acres for camphor growing) were dealt with by the District Officers. The total area of land resumed was 116a, 1. 18.74p.
In the New Territories the demand for land was steady with upward tendency.
III. LEGISLATION.
Thirty-two (32) Ordinances were passed during 1921 of which fifteen were amendments of previous Ordinances.
of
The most important matters with which these Ordinances dealt
were:-
The Treaty of Peace (Amendment) (No. 2) Order, 1920, (No. 7).
The Treaty of Peace (Hungary) Order, 1921, (No. 29).
11
79