J 2
The erection of new houses and shops on the fish-pond reclamation at Tai Po proceeded steadily and the demand for sites was found sufficiently strong to justify a further reclamation between the N.W. end of the Market and the stream. A large portion of this new ground is to be reserved for a public market.
The success of the Mong Tseng-Ping Shan reclamation revived the old scheme for a similar, but far larger, reclamation stretching from Shan Pui to Mai Po, roughly parallel with the San Tin-An Tau road. Negotiations were well advanced when the objections of the Kam Tin villages to the arrangements for a supply of fresh water brought matters again to a standstill. Kam Tin suffers considerably from floods under present conditions and, not unreasonably, objects to the construction of any dam which would form even the smallest obstruction to the off-flow of storm water. It was finally agreed between the parties that a dam might be constructed in the river above the long bridge provided its top was not above the level of the surrounding marshland: but it is extremely doubtful whether such a dam can furnish the necessary supply of water and the whole project is therefore again postponed indefinitely.
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One of the most remarkable features of the year has been the rapid growth of "chai t'ong" or vegetarian halls. Five years ago these religious or quasi-religious establishments had practically no foothold in this district: now they are everywhere in parts within reasonable reach of the railway and main roads, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fan Ling and Pat Heung each have several and are asking for more. Their promoters or managers are extremely secretive as to the objects of these enterprises, but it is sufficiently clear that they are designed chiefly to attract the well-to-do of Hongkong, particularly the womenfolk, and that the believer is not expected to come empty-handed. Pending a straightforward explanation of the sudden "boom" in these "halls" permission is being refused for all new establishments as well as for extensions to existing ones.
IV.-REVENUE.
The total revenue collected in this office is set out under the various heads in Table C, the total being $115,865.45. Table D gives the revenue collected each year since 1911. To the figure in Table C should be added the following amounts paid by the district, but not through this office:-
Liquor duties, Sai Kung, $1,247.73
Harbour Dues 2,305.00
No. 2 Launch, 2,714.05
No. 3 5,928.20
No. 4 3,492.95
Crown rent paid in Land Office, 5,342.74
Mining Licences, 176.00
Prospecting Licences, 4,000.00
Tobacco Duties, 3,734.70
Licences, 168.00
Total, $29,109.37