J (1) 2
9. There were 9 Juvenile Offenders in 1936 as against none in 1935 (Tables VI (a) and (b)).
10. The number of small Debts Cases and of Writs of Execution decreased from 96 and 50 respectively in 1935 to 51 and 25 in 1936, due to greatly improved business conditions.
11. Twenty-six cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported to the Police Magistrate during the year. Three Coroner's Enquiries were held and one Coroner's verdict of Murder, against person or persons unknown, was returned.
LAND OFFICE.
12. Table X shows the work of the Land Office during the year 1936. The sales both of building land and land for cultivation increased greatly. 37.05 acres were sold, yielding premium to the amount of $6,035.90 as against 7.09 acres and $1,084.24 in 1935. This heavy increase is chiefly due to increase in purchases by Hong Kong City residents but purchases by villagers have also increased heavily. In view of the development at Tsun Wan the increase in building land sales seems likely to continue.
13. The number of memorials registered was 1,007 as compared with 1,446 in 1935 and the revenue from registration fees shows a consequent drop.
14. The acreage held under Forestry Licences has increased by 6% this year reversing a downward trend of several years duration.
15. Since the Sand Ordinance came into force on October 1st 1935, this department has only issued permits for small amounts of sand to local villagers for local building in the New Territories. Sand permit fees have therefore fallen to a small figure. Stone permit fees have also fallen owing to the reduced demand for Government building works.
16. Many new permits were issued for bathing sheds during the year 1936 bringing the total up to 234, an increase of 45 over 1935. Very few practicable sites now remain unoccupied along the Castle Peak Road.
GENERAL.
Agriculture.
17. The district, as a whole, may claim to have enjoyed a fair measure of prosperity during the year in spite of the severe typhoon of the 18th August 1936 which did considerable damage to the rice crops in Southern Lantau and to the salt pans in Tai O. Both rice crops were good as also were the