The total revenue from land sales for the year was $2,207,054, representing an increase of $2,033,967 over the average for the previous five years (1917-1921). This result is due not so much to one or two large items like last year, though large figures have been realized in one or two instances, as to a keen competition amongst the Chinese for most of the lots sold.
The principal items were $206,000 for Inland Lot No. 2366, $110,000 for Inland Lot No. 2409, $108,600 for Inland Lot No. 2407, $91,500 for Inland Lot No. 2382, $50,000 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1462, $33,700 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1441, $33,470 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1483, and $30,000 for Rural Building Lot No. 200.
In the New Territories, the net amount received for premium on sales of land was $173,054.79, the principal items being $70,000 for New Kowloon Inland Lots Nos. 370 and 371, $12,100 for New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 350, and $11,603 for New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 364, being $87,463.78 more than the year 1921.
The number of deeds and documents registered in the Land Office was 4,146, rather less than last year, which was a record year; the aggregate consideration set out in deeds registered was $107,392,435.38, as against $107,855,703.10 in 1921.
Resumptions include Kowloon Farm Lots Nos. 49 and 51 and a number of Agricultural Lots at Kau Pai Shek, all of which were required for development purposes.
Development at Shamshuipo continues.
The total area of land sold or granted during the year was 243a. 2r. 26p., of which 152a. 2r. 0p. were dealt with by the District Officers. The total area of land resumed was 102a. 3r. 17p.
In the New Territories, although the acreage disposed of was considerably less than during 1921, the prices realized showed an upward tendency in both Districts, the chief feature in the Northern District being the high prices paid for building sites on the reclamation at Taipo Market, which realized from 50c. to $1 per square foot, whilst in the Southern District, some big prices were paid for Inland lots at New Kowloon.
III.-LEGISLATION
Twenty-five (25) Ordinances were passed during 1922, of which twelve were amendments of previous Ordinances.