J.(1) 2
7. There were 9 cases committed for trial at the Supreme Court during the year. Five cases of Armed Robbery (four at Cheung Chau and one at Tin Ha Wan, Hang Hau) and one Murder case at Po Toi occurred during the year. One case of Possession of Arms, one Deportation case and one Forgery case were also heard by the Magistrate for committal. A great number of cases of unlawful possession of wild wood and of tree-cutting were brought before the Magistrate,
8. There was 1 Juvenile Offender in 1937 as against 9 in 1936 (Tables VI(a) and (b)).
9. The number of Small Debts Cases decreased by 10 and the number of Writs of Execution increased by 1 as compared with 1936.
10. 21 cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported to the Police Magistrate during the year. 2 Coroner's Enquiries were held, one with Jury and the other without Jury.
LAND OFFICE.
11. Table X shows the work of the Land Office during the year 1937. 80.66 acres were sold, yielding premium to the amount of $18,578 as against 37.05 acres and $6,035.90 in 1936. This heavy increase is chiefly due to the opening up of Hang Hau as a residential district served by a motor road and also to a keen demand for agricultural land.
12. The number of memorials registered was 1,057 as compared with 1,007 in 1936 and the revenue from registration shows a consequent rise.
13. The acreage held under Forestry and Pineapple Licences decreased slightly despite the fact that the year 1936 had seen a change for the better.
GENERAL.
Agriculture.
14. The district, as a whole, may claim to have enjoyed a fair measure of prosperity during the year, in face of the horrors of war in China. The typhoon of 2nd September did considerable damage to the crops and various sea-walls and bunds in the district were badly damaged. Vegetable crops were good. The first rice crop did well but the second crop was partly destroyed by the typhoon above-mentioned. The firewood and beancurd industries fared about the same as last year. Cattle, pigs and poultry were reported satisfactory. Prices generally were high.
Fisheries.
15. Catches this year were successful. The Wong Fa and Herring catches were particularly good and prices were high.