J 2
injustice to the shop which in many cases is not really bankrupt but is merely being pressed by some large creditor and finds that it is unable to call in any of its small debts. In such cases it is impossible to charge any fees. The Magistrate has in these cases to act as a sort of receiver in bankruptcy though generally speaking there is no actual bankruptcy. In all such cases I have been much impressed by the scrupulous accuracy of local shop books.
There was during the year little crime committed by persons residing in the Territory. The number of persons sent to prison was only 61, which is the smallest number recorded since the Territory was taken over.
There was some increase in the number of cases of smuggling opium out of the Territory, but the vigilance of Mr. Winyard, Head Guard, and other officials of the Kowloon Canton Railway, was responsible for a large number of arrests.
Many and curious receptacles were used for the purpose of conveying the smuggled drug: specially prepared shoes with hollow soles, scooped out pineapples and other fruit; the restaurant ham, which had been converted into a veritable jambon farcie; and on one occasion the maternal appearance of a Chinese female passenger was found to be only due to tins of smuggled opium swathed around her body.
III. LAND OFFICE.
The number of sales and other transactions affecting land which took place during the year are set forth in Table A. The number of memorials registered was 3,020 as against 3,202 in 1915. The fees received as stamp duty amounted to $1,601.30 as against $1,607.10 in the previous year.
The registration of memorials was begun in the year 1905 and at the end of 1916 no less than 34,298 documents affecting land had been registered in this office.
Small fees for registration were introduced in 1911 and up to the end of the year under review a total of $9,962 has been received under this head.
The feature of the year was the enormous increase in the amount received from sales of land. The amount received under this head was $65,508.60 as against a previous maximum of $11,275.69 in 1913.
A large tract of land near Ping Shan was sold for $48,600 but even if this be regarded as a windfall the premia received from land sales excluding this amount were $16,908.61 which far exceeds the total for any previous year.
There was considerable development in Tai Po Market and several sites near the Market Station were taken up for building purposes. There is a demand for new houses and shops and a return of about 12 per cent. can be got from this form of investment.
The area near Fan Ling known as the On Lok Village was opened up and developed. This area is owned by a Company con-