9. The number of small debt cases heard and distress warrants issued (Table VIII) is average. The figures for the last five years shown in the table are in excess of these but may be accounted for by the fact that they include one or two years during which exceptionally large numbers of such cases were heard.
10. Twenty-six cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported to the Police Magistrate and Coroner during the year. Five death enquiries, one with jury, and four without jury were held.
LAND OFFICE.
11. Complete details of the work of the Land Office are shown in Table IX. The number of memorials registered in the Land Registry was 3,286 as against 3,510 in 1931 and the amount of stamp duty received for such registration was $6,850.70 against $4,992.70 in 1931.
12. Sales of Crown Land for agriculture show a decrease on the figures for last year, 140.83 acres being sold for this purpose as compared with 300.12 in 1931.
13. The demand for building sites for shops and houses continues unabated. A number of bungalow sites were sold near the Castle Peak and Cafeteria beaches during the year. Some bungalows were completed and others were in process of erection. Building at Un Long shows great progress, particularly on the south side of the main road where a row of shops has been practically completed, and before long work will be started on the second row. A large area of foreshore has been reclaimed near British Shataukok and the building of shops on this area is nearly completed. A further area of foreshore was also sold for the same purpose. Some building sites have been sold at Taipo, for the erection of dwelling houses rather than shops.
14. Table X shows the allocation of assistance from the Local Public Works vote during 1932. The requests for assistance, however, far exceeded the sum available.
15. Eleven new licences for forestry areas were issued during the year as against thirty-two in 1931. The total area under forestry licences at the end of 1932 was 40,681.60 acres as against 40,355.80 acres at the end of 1931. A large part of this area is, however, very thinly planted and the trees are of poor description, the object of some villagers in acquiring forestry licences being to monopolise the grass-cutting within their reserve rather than to plant pine-trees.
16. There were 327 licences to cultivate pineapple plants current at the end of the year as against 230 at the end of 1931; the area under cultivation increasing from 76 acres in