1887-1903
325
COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS
15
slow. When the survey is completed and rent rolls have been compiled in accordance with it, the holders of land will have no means of evading the payment of Crown Rent for their holdings, which will yield a good yearly revenue. It must be remembered that most of the money already expended on account of the New Territory has been devoted to works of a permanent nature, which cannot fail to add to its development. The cost of the civil administration has not been large, though the expenditure on account of the Police has been high, as it has been necessary to maintain a strong force of Police in the interests of the peace and good order not only of the New Territory, but also of the Colony generally. It is hoped that before long it may be found possible to reduce the present large Police expenditure. Though the New Territory does not pay its way at the present time, it seems not at all improbable that it will do so in the near future. Any one who may feel inclined to take a pessimistic view of its prospects should bear in mind the fact that when Hongkong itself, which has become so prosperous, first came under British rule, there was not a few people who prophesied that the Colony would prove a failure, and as a matter of fact it had to receive assistance from the Imperial Exchequer for some years.
STAFF
Mr. Messer as Land Officer, Mr. Hallifax as Magistrate, and Mr. B. W. Grey as temporary Land Surveyor, resided in the New Territory throughout last year, as also did Mr. Ho Nai Hop, Chinese Medical Officer.
Mr. Gompertz, as member of the Land Court, has worked principally in the New Territory since last May. From May to November he was assisted by Mr. Kemp as Registrar of the Land Court, and from November onwards by Mr. Wood in the same capacity. Mr. Cheung Tsoi acted as Chief Clerk and Interpreter to the Land Court from May onwards, while from January till May Mr. Tsoi Yeuk Shan was Chief Chinese Assistant and Interpreter to the Land Officer.
Mr. S. R. Moore, Demarcation Officer of the Land Court, has been working in the New Territory since November, and Mr. H. T. Watson, Clerk in connection with the preparation of a rent roll for the cultivated portion of the New Territory, resided there permanently from April to July.
I attach a list of the officers who have worked in the New Territory during the year.
Hongkong, 15th July, 1901.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
* Not re-printed.