Appendix J.
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1917.
A. NORTHERN DISTRICT,
I.--STAFF.
Mr. Ross had charge of this office until April 15th, Mr. Ball from then to May 22nd, and I then took charge for the rest of the year. I was appointed to the substantive post as from February 1st.
Mr. Chambers, Land Bailiff, returned from leave on January 13th. Mr. Chu Tak-hing, 4th Grade Clerk, was transferred to this office in place of Mr. Shin Chang-sang, transferred to the Public Works Department, on April 26th.
II. MAGISTRACY.
(a.) Police Court.
Table A attached shows the figures for 1917, compared with the average for the preceding five years. The cases in this court continue to decrease, and of the crimes committed about half are by persons coming from outside the Territory.
(b.) Small Debts Court.
Money being scarce, there was more business in this court than in previous years, and debts proved more than usually difficult to collect, particularly among the Punti population.
III.--LAND OFFICE.
The amount of business in this office was less than in the preceding year, which had been exceedingly active, and no very large sales of land were carried out.
The arrangements for the sale of two large areas of marshland along the creeks in the west of the Territory were nearly completed at the end of the year; by means of these, over 2,000 acres of swamp will be brought into cultivation.
IV. REVENUE.
The revenue collected in this office was $117,095.84 which is an increase on all previous years, except 1916. Besides this the following amounts were paid by the Territory through other offices:--
Liquor Duties, Saikung, $2,351.04 Harbour Dues, Saikung, $3,030.00 No. 3 Launch. $7,062.15 No. 4 $3,170.10 No. 2 $2,794.25 $4,104.00 $399.77 Crown Rent paid in Land Office, $1,500.00 Royalties on Minerals... $168.00 Mining and Prospecting Licences, $27 Tobacco, (Duty charged from July 1917),... $2,553.52 Tobacco, (Manufacturing Licences),... ... Total, $27,132.83