19
In the New Territories the net amount received for premium on sales of land was $230,449.05 the principal item being $150,660 for New Kowloon Marine Lots Nos. 6 and 7. New Kowloon Marine Lot No. 8 was sold for $51,418 so that the figure for land sales in this part of the Colony was abnormal being over $218,000 in excess of the preceding year.
The number of Deeds registered in the Land Office was 3,405 and exceeded the total of any previous year by 384, the aggregate consideration set out in deeds registered was $67,493,394 as against $60,152,735.07 in 1919.
The Government resumed a large number of small areas for street improvements in the course of the year and Farm Lots Nos. 8, 22, 40 and 50 were surrendered, new areas being sold in lieu thereof for building purposes.
Development at Shamshuipo continues, sixty-one new lots were placed on the Rent Rolls in the course of the year.
The total area of land sold or granted during the year was 277a. 0r. 6p. of which 207a. 3r. 20p. were dealt with by the District Officers. The total area of land resumed was 75a. 2r. 30p.
In the New Territories the demand for land was steady.
III.-LEGISLATION.
Seventeen (17) Ordinances were passed during 1920 of which seven were amendments of previous Ordinances.
The most important matters with which these Ordinances dealt were:
The Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, (No. 3).
The Treaty of Peace (Amendment) Order, 1920, (No. 15).
The Treaty of Peace (Austria) Order 1920, (No. 16).
The Treaty of Peace (Bulgaria) Order, 1920, (No. 17).
These Ordinances were for the purpose of modifying certain provisions of the various Orders in Council, and of adapting the provisions of the said Orders to the circumstances of the Colony.
The Foreign Corporations (Execution of Instruments under Seal) (No. 1)-a measure for validating all instruments which have been executed, or will be executed by the agent of a foreign corporation whose authority is not required to be under seal according to the laws of the State under which such corporation is incorporated.
The Volunteer (No. 2)-the object being to provide for the establishment of a new Volunteer Force to take the place of the existing Volunteer Corps and Volunteer Reserve.