Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS- ANNUAL.
as to corruption that had made themselves heard. A committee, consisting of the unofficial members of the Sanitary Board, was appointed on the 28th April to carry out this enquiry under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C. As, however, it presently seemed necessary that there should be power to enforce the attendance of witnesses, compel the production of documents, &c., the Committee was converted into a Commission on the 10th May. Mr. Pollock's resignation of the Chairmanship shortly afterwards required an amended Commission, dated the 26th May, appointing the Honourable Mr. E. A. Hewett to the post. The Commission were directed to enquire into and report:
(1.) Whether the administration of the Sanitary and Building Regulations enacted by the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, as now carried out is satisfactory, and, if not, what improvements can be made,
(2.) Whether any irregularity or corruption exists or has existed among the officials charged with the administration of the aforesaid regulations,
The Commission had not reported by the end of the year, but had brought to the notice of the Government several cases of corrupt practices which were dealt with by the Executive Council of the Colony.
In the early part of the year also, numerous petitions were presented by elders in the New Territories through the Registrar-General on the subject of Crown Rent for agricultural lands and buildings. These resulted in the Government, after full consideration declining to reduce but promising not to increase for the 75 years term of lease the rents in question and in their making several minor concessions. This result appears to have given satisfaction, and the former difficulties in collecting rent have nearly disappeared.
In other respects the territories were quiet and apparently prosperous during the year. Crops were good except for the typhoon, damage to which reference has already been made.
Mining operations there remained in the prospecting stage, but the discovery of iron ore, which competent engineers report to be present in large quantities, led the promoters to apply for the mining lease of a square mile of territory in the Sha Tin District. This was granted by the Government to Sir Paul Chater, Kt., C.M.G., on the 21st January, 1907. Analysis shows that the ore is composed of magnetite iron ranging from 53 per cent. to 60 per cent. metal, entirely free from phosphorus or sulphur, and therefore the very best ore for the manufacture of steel. Japanese buyers are in treaty for the purchase of the ore, but the Company, recently formed by Sir Paul Chater, desire if possible to establish smelting works in the Colony, and are now negotiating with English iron-masters on the subject.
Railway matters continued to be of special interest, and made some progress in 1906.