Appendix J. (1)
REPORT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1938.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
STAFF.
Mr. S. F. Balfour continued as District Officer until the 20th September when Mr. A. G. Clarke took over. Mr. H. J. Cruttwell was appointed District Officer on the 24th November.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
2. Tables I to III show comparative details of Revenue and Expenditure of the Department for 1937 and 1938.
3. The Revenue collected by the Department as shown in Table II increased by $3,986.42, the largest increases being in rates, earth and stone permits, deeds registration fees and miscellaneous permits. Those served largely to set off a fall of $14,367.13 in premia for new leases, which were however unusually high in 1937.
4. Table III shows a comparative statement of Revenue and Expenditure of the Department for the last ten years.
MAGISTRACY.
5. Tables IV to VIII give details of the cases heard by the District Officer sitting as Police Magistrate and as Judge of the Small Debts Court.
6. The number of police cases (Table VII) increased by 159 as compared with 1937.
7. There were no murder charges. Of the two manslaughter charges, one was committed to the Supreme Court, the other amended. In addition six persons were committed for robbery, two for forgery, two for possession of dangerous drugs, one for breach of deportation ordinance and three for unlawful possession of arms.
8. There were fewer larcenies, but there was towards the close of the year a large increase in forestry offences.
9. Three boys and three girls were dealt with as juvenile offenders.
10. The number of Small Debts cases rose slightly, but the writs of execution declined by more than 75%.
11. Two death inquiries with jury were held by the District Officer as Coroner.
LAND.
12. Table X shows the work of the land office during the year.
Sales both of building and agricultural land fell considerably, 11.90 acres being sold yielding premia of $4,216.00 as against 77.62 acres with premia of $18,270.00 in 1937. The greatest decrease was in sales of land to non-local persons.
13. The number of memorials registered rose from 1057 for 1937 to 1305.
14. There was a slight decrease in the acreage held under forestry licence.