With a view to increasing the housing accommodation of the Colony at moderate rentals a scheme was introduced of granting leases of land for forty years, mainly in outlying districts, without premium but subject to Crown Rent at the usual rates and assessed taxes. The upset value of the land is agreed upon between Government and the lessee who is then under covenant to build domestic property to a certain value within a stated period. He will render to Government a statement showing the costs of erection including Crown Rent, taxes, fire and typhoon insurance, repairs, management expenses and contributions to a sinking fund calculated to return to him within the period of the lease, the amount of his original outlay. After a stated period and under certain conditions the lessee may sell the property, the proceeds being applied first to pay off the balance of the sinking fund and secondly to division between Government and the lessee. The lessee is then bound, if required by the Government, to apply a sum at least as large as his original capital to further building on similar terms. On the expiration of the term of forty years the property reverts to Government.
Notwithstanding the building of a large number of dwelling houses, rents of tenements not subject to the Rents Restriction Ordinance continued to rise, and in April a Commission was appointed under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., to enquire as to what measures were possible to increase the quantity and decrease the cost of housing accommodation in the Colony. This Commission reported in September, and many of the recommendations made for relieving the situation have since been adopted, while others are still under consideration.
In February an Ordinance to regulate certain forms of female domestic service was passed by the Legislative Council, and under its provisions Chinese female domestics known as "Mui Tsai" obtained certain rights and no person after the passing of the law could take any Mui Tsai into his employment. It is too early yet to judge of the effect of this legislation.
The Industrial Employment of Children Ordinance came into force on the 1st January, and is being carefully administered with the sympathetic co-operation of employers. This law will be supplemented later on by Factory legislation based on the English Acts, adapted to the needs of the Colony.
The increase in piracy in the Pearl and West River districts caused much anxiety during the year. A commission appointed after the piracy of the S.S. "Sui An" on the 19th November, 1922, reported on the 8th February, and as a result of its recommendations the revision of the Anti-piracy regulations for steamships was taken in hand, but was not completed by the end of the year.
Preparations for the proper representation of Hongkong at the British Empire Exhibition were carried on energetically and in June a sum of $250,000 was voted for this object.