J 2
Application was received from a Hongkong syndicate for the purchase of 1,200 acres of swamp at P'ing Shan, and negotiations were proceeding in a satisfactory manner when the year closed.
A scheme was also started for the cultivation of fruit trees on some 80 acres of hillside at Castle Peak.
There has been a welcome revival of interest in Tai Po Market owing partly to a reduction in the upset price of building land: the main street has been macadamised at their own expense by the shopkeepers, and a new pawnshop is being built. Developments in the neighbourhood of Fanling have been well maintained.
IV-REVENUE.
The revenue collected in the district is set forth under the various heads in Table B.
The total amount collected, $112,075, is an increase on all previous years. The highest total hitherto was $111,301.72 in 1913.
V.-LIQUOR.
The total liquor revenue collected in the district was:
1914 1915 Distillery Licences $2,920.03 $2,691.75 Chinese Wines and Spirits Licences $3,943.75 $3,768.75 Liquor Duties $5,967.85 $5,915.75 $12,831.63 $12,376.25VI. GENERAL.
The first rice crop was good, but the second was poor, owing to an exceptionally dry season. September is an important month for the second crop, and a good rainfall is expected, but this year only 2.77 inches were registered at Tai Po in that month, as against 22.41 in 1914. Table C shows that the rainfall for the year was considerably below the average.
Good progress was made with the main road from Tai Po to Au T'au creek and with the bridge over the creek. It is now possible to motor from Kowloon to Au T'au, and when the bridge is finished, the road will be clear through to Castle Peak. The gharry service has been fairly well patronised.
The war has caused no uneasiness in the district. It is possible to trace a certain timidity in the western parts of the Territory, due to their exposure to armed robberies from the sea, but the tendency of well-to-do Chinese from Hongkong to invest capital in the Territory has never been more marked.
1st March, 1916.
A. E. WOOD,
District Officer,
J 2
application was received from a Hongkong syndicate for the pur- chase of 1,200 acres of swamp at P'ing Shan, and negotiations were proceeding in a satisfactory manner when the year closed.
A scheme was also started for the cultivation of fruit trees on some 80 acres of hillside at Castle Peak.
There has been a welcome revival of interest in Tai Po Market owing partly to a reduction in the upset price of building land: the main street has been macadamised at their own expense by the shop- keepers, and a new pawnshop is being built. Developments in the neighbourhood of Fanling have been well maintained.
IV-REVENUE.
The revenue collected in the district is set forth under the various heads in Table B.
The total amount collected, $112,075, is an increase on all previous years. The highest total hitherto was $111,301.72 in 1913.
V.-LIQUOR.
The total liquor revenue collected in the district was :
Distillery Licences
Chinese Wines and Spirits
Licences
Liquor Duties
-
1914.
$ C.
1915.
$
c.
2,920.03
2,691.75
3,943.75 3,768.75
5,967.85
5,915.75
$12,831.63 $12,376.25
VI. GENERAL.
The first rice crop was good, but the second was poor, owing to an exceptionally dry season. September is an important month for the second crop, and a good rainfall is expected, but this year only 2.77 inches were registered at Tai Po in that month, as against 22:41 in 1914. Table C shows that the rainfall for the year was considerably below the average.
Good progress was made with the main road from Tai Po to Au T'au creek and with the bridge over the creek. It is now possible to motor from Kowloon to Au T'au, and when the bridge is finished, the road will be clear through to Castle Peak. The gharry service has been fairly well patronised.
The war has caused no uneasiness in the district. It is possible to trace a certain timidity in the western parts of the Territory, due to their exposure to armed robberies from the sea, but the tendency of well-to-do Chinese from Hongkong to invest capital in the Territory has never been more marked.
1st March, 1916.
A. E. WOOD,
District Officer,
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