Pripore June 1949
HONG KONG.
Note on land tenure and immigration
regulations.
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(1) Land tenure
The Colony consists of:-
(a)
the island of Hong Kong approximately 32 square miles;
(b) part of Kowloon Peninsula on
@ @
the mainland
approximately
(c) the New Territories - approximately
359 aquare miles.
(a) and (b) were ceded outright to Great Britain by China
in 1842 and 1860 respectively; (c) was leased to Great Britain
by China for 99 years in 1898.
SH..!
All land in the Colony is Crown land, and, under
Letters Patent, the Governor is authorised to grant land
mint Su only in accordance either with instructions issued through
the Secretary of state or with some law or regulation in
force in the Colony. In practice, with the exception of
the Cathedral and some Admiralty and Wilitary lands, all
grants of land are made on lease, with or without
premium, or for short terms on temporary permits. The
usual term of lease, other than in the New Territories,
is for 75 years, renewable for a further 75 years, but
there are a number of 999 year leases, a few for 99 years
and various others. Subject to conditions imposed in the
lease, leasehold interest in land may be assigned,
mortgaged or underlet in accordance with the law. (All
land in the New Territories was declared by Ordinance in
1910 to have become the property of the Crown with effect
from 23rd July, 1900. Persons in occupati :n of land who
could prove their title to it to the satisfaction of the
Land Officer were granted leases and continued in lawful
occupation.)