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B.—SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
I.—STAFF.
I had charge of this office until August 26th, Mr. Eldon Potter from then to November 27th, and I then took charge again for the rest of the year.
Mr. A. Blaikley, (Private, 25th Middlesex Regiment), temporarily acted as Land Bailiff until 1st April, when he resigned. Mr. Creamer (Private, 25th Middlesex Regiment) was then seconded to act in his place until 25th July, when he (Mr. Creamer) was required by the Military Authorities. On 19th December Mr. J. Grant (Private, Manchester Regiment) was transferred to this office and acted, also temporarily, until the end of the year.
On 9th April, Mr. Man Ching-hei, 5th Grade Clerk in this office, took over the duties of Mr. Sui Cheuk-hin, 5th Grade Clerk and Shroff, who resigned on that date. On 24th April, Mr. Chan Un-hau was appointed to take the place of the former.
II.—MAGISTRACY.
The Assistant District Officer sitting as Police Magistrate heard during the year 168 cases affecting 294 persons. 254 persons were convicted or bound over and 40 were discharged.
The following table gives a comparison with 1916 and 1917:—
1916 1917 1918 No. of cases 129 133 168 No. of persons affected 188 218 294 No. of persons convicted or bound over 142 162 254 No. of persons discharged 25 21 40 No. of persons imprisoned 17 30 35 Fines $1,163.52 $605.02 $641.19 Arms Fines $93.86 $447.00 $35.00 $35.00 $1,399.79 Opium Fines paid to the Government Reward Fund Forfeitures $218.94 $131.75 $118.34III.—SMALL DEBTS COURT.
108 cases were instituted during the year as compared with 78 in 1917 and 110 in 1916. Courts were held as usual in the District during the year. I find many of these cases are brought rather to obtain official record of the debt than to obtain immediate payment.
IV.—LAND OFFICE.
The number of sales of land and other transactions affecting land which took place during 1918 are set forth in Table A.