J 8
Four five-year leases of 4.48 acres were granted at an annual rental of $22.10.
Nineteen Annual Permits were issued for 4.95 acres at a rental of $188.20.
A large marine lot at Ping Chau was re-leased for 3 years and 8 months by public auction, the annual rental being $900.
Twenty-seven lots comprising 64 of an acre were resumed in connection with the Sham Shui Po Improvement Scheme and compensation amounting to $5,733.98 was paid.
Thirty lots of 2.08 acres were surrendered during 1915.
One quarry lot at Cheung Chau was re-entered for non-fulfilment of conditions, and in January, 1916, there were re-entries on 16 lots for non-payment of Crown Rent. The total area re-entered was 1.90 acres.
Eleven grave certificates were issued.
V. REVENUE.
Table A shows the revenue collected by the Assistant District Officer. The total is less than that for 1914, there being a considerable decrease in Land Sales and Fines. The former were exceptional in 1914; the decrease in the latter indicates a decrease in crime throughout the District.
A new item has been added to Table A, viz., Permits to occupy Land. This was formerly included in the Crown Rent total. The figures include a number of fees collected in 1914 under this heading.
The increase in assessed taxes is due to the fact that rates at Sham Shui Po were raised 14% for the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year, after the installation of electric lighting in the streets.
Table B gives details of revenue collected in licence fees by the Police during 1914 and 1915. 1915 shows a considerable increase.
Table C shows the revenue collected during 1914 and 1915 in the District by departments other than the District Office. It includes the totals of Table B.
Table D shows, comparatively, the total revenue collected in the Southern District during the last three years. It is a combination of Tables A and C, and has now been inserted for the first time.
VI. LIQUOR.
Liquor Duties were collected in the Southern District during 1915 amounting to $137,331.21. The total for 1914 was $105,620.