17
The total area of land granted during the year was 1,386 Acres 3 Roods and 1 Pole, of which 209 Acres and 8 Poles were dealt with by the District Officers.
The total area resumed was 2,065 Acres 2 Roods 34 Poles, including two large mining lots for which mining licences have since been granted.
The number of deeds registered in the Land Office was 4,360, which is a slight increase on the preceding year.
The Northern District of the New Territories has not yet recovered from the conditions which prevailed in 1925; the demand for building sites in the development areas is still small; on the other hand, in rural areas, there is quite a good demand for agricultural land, and many new village houses are being erected.
In the Southern District, there was an almost complete cessation of demand for sites. No European or industrial applications were received, and only three agricultural lots, viz., at Mui Wo, Lantao Island.
There were a few applications for sites on Lantao plateau, but these were held up pending completion of the cadastral survey. Considerable trouble has been experienced in securing the fulfilment of Building Covenants relating to lots already sold.
III. LEGISLATION
Sixteen (16) ordinances were passed during 1926, of which five were amendments of previous ordinances.
The most important matters with which these ordinances dealt were:
The Regulations (No. 1)—The object of this ordinance was to authorise the preparation of a new edition of the regulations in force in the Colony at the end of 1925.
The Rating (Refunds) (No. 3)—The object of this ordinance was to refund rates.
The Former Enemy Aliens (Disabilities Removal) (No. 4)—The object of this ordinance was to repeal certain enactments imposing disabilities on former enemy aliens.
The Hong Kong Treasury Bills (Local) (No. 5)—The object of this ordinance was to authorise the Governor-in-Council to borrow by the issue in Hong Kong of Hong Kong Government Treasury bills.