AnnualReport-1910 — Page 165

## 2 A gap in the Hill District and the Military Cable Huts at Hongkong and Kowloon were completed during the year, and negotiations were continued with reference to the boundaries of Military Lands at Gun Club Hill and Signal Hill, Kowloon, Kowloon City Rifle Range, and Mount Davis Battery. The terms of possession of the Admiralty property at Kowloon (Kowloon Marine Lot No. 41) were amended, and the formal documents signed. ### 7.-NEW TERRITORIES At the commencement of the year, the Staff of the District Land Office at Taipo were transferred to the Department of the District Officer; the Assistant Land Officer being appointed, in addition, an Assistant District Officer, but both the District Officer and the Assistant District Officer remain Assistant Land Officers for the purpose of land duties. The Assistant Land Officer for the Southern District was appointed, in February, an Assistant District Officer and Police Magistrate for that District in addition, in order to facilitate his work when visiting the outlying districts. As considerable difficulty has been experienced in connection with the resumption for public purposes of holdings of small value, it was found necessary to amend the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1900, by Ordinance No. 18 of 1910, which provides for a shorter notice being required in cases where the value of the land is $500 or under, and also making provision for a simpler method of arbitration and payment of compensation. The existing laws relating to land in the New Territories were repealed during the year and re-enacted with certain amendments in one Ordinance—the New Territories Regulation Ordinance, 1910. ### 8.-STAFF Mr. G. H. Wakeman, Land Officer, acted as Registrar of Trade Marks and Letters Patent, in addition to his other duties, during the absence of Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, Deputy Official Receiver, on vacation leave from 4th August to 28th September. Mr. Wakeman also acted as Registrar of the Supreme Court, Registrar of Companies, Official Administrator, and Official Trustee from 28th September to 31st December, in addition to his other duties, during the absence on leave of Mr. J. H. Kemp. Mr. G. N. Orme, Assistant Land Officer, was absent on vacation leave from 4th April to 3rd July; his duties being performed by Mr. R. O. Hutchison, Assistant Registrar General. Mr. K. McLennan was appointed as permanent Land Bailiff for the Southern District on 1st January. Mr. Li Tak Yung, Interpreter, was dismissed on the 7th December, and Mr. Chau Kwing Un, 3rd Grade Temporary Interpreter, was dismissed on 19th May; Mr. Ng Yuk Shu being appointed 3rd Grade Interpreter in his place.

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