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9. The number of small debt cases heard and distress warrants issued (Table VIII) is slightly above the average.
10. Forty-seven cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported to the Police Magistrate as Coroner during the year. Four death enquiries were held.
LAND OFFICE.
11. Complete details of the work of the Land Office are shown in Table IX. The number of memorials registered in the Land Registry was 3,291 as against 3,286 in 1932 and the amount of stamp duty received for such registration was $5,121.40 as against $6,850 in 1932.
12. Sales of Crown Land for purposes of agriculture, fruit growing, cattle-grazing and poultry farming show increases over the figures for 1932. The villagers, however, do not view with any pleasure the sale of land near their villages for such purposes as the Crown land is used by them for cattle grazing and burial grounds. Their opposition has frightened off a number of intending purchasers.
13. The demand for building sites for shops and houses has fallen off slightly, particularly towards the end of the year. Building on the sites sold near the Cafeteria and Castle Peak beaches is not progressing very rapidly. Fair progress was made at Un Long, Shataukok and Taipo Market. Work was started in connection with the erection of a Cinema and Theatre at Taipo Market but ceased after some months, apparently owing to lack of funds.
14. Table X shows the allocation of assistance from the Local Public Works vote during 1933. It will be seen that the full amount available was used. The increase in the vote from $3,000 to $5,000 for the year 1934 will materially help in the carrying out of such useful works as irrigation, communication and the repair of storm damage.
15. Four new licences for forestry areas were issued during the year as against eleven in 1932 and the total area under such licences shows an increase of 666 acres. A large part of these hill-slopes is only thinly planted and much more work could be done by the villagers in developing the areas.
16. There were 372 licences to cultivate pine-apple plants current at the end of the year as against 327 at the end of 1932. The crop is reported to have been fairly good and prices, though not high, ruled much better than in 1932, the average being about $3.50 per picul. No effective steps have yet been taken to start a canning industry in the District.
GENERAL.
17. Rainfall for the year was below the average. Owing to the almost complete drought in the early part of the Summer large tracts of padi-fields were left unplanted and the first crop was a failure. Fortunately the rain came at a critical time just when the seedlings for the second crop were on the point of withering and the crop, which later proved to be a good one, was saved. Prices, however, for the rice were very low.
J 2
9. The number of small debt cases heard and distress. warrants issued (Table VIII) is slightly above the average.
10. Forty-seven cases of deaths in unusual circumstances were reported to the Police Magistrate as Coroner during the year.
Four death enquiries were held.
LAND OFFICE.
11. Complete details of the work of the Land Office are shewn in Table IX. The number of memorials registered in the Land Registry was 3,291 as against 3,286 in 1932 and the amount of stamp duty received for such registration was $5,121.40 as against $6,850 in 1932.
12. Sales of Crown Land for purposes of agriculture, fruit growing, cattle-grazing and poultry farming show increases over the figures for 1932. The villagers, however, do not view with any pleasure the sale of land near their villages for such purposes as the Crown land is used by them for cattle grazing and burial grounds. Their opposition has frightened off a number of intending purchasers.
13. The demand for building sites for shops and houses has fallen off slightly, particularly towards the end of the year. Building on the sites sold near the Cafeteria and Castle Peak beaches is not progressing very rapidly. Fair progress was made at Un. Long, Shataukok and Taipo Market. Work was started in connection with the erection of a Cinema and Theatre at Taipo Market but ceased after some months, apparently owing to lack of funds.
14. Table X shows the allocation of assistance from the Local Public Works vote during 1933. It will be seen that the full amount available was used. The increase in the vote from $3,000 to $5,000 for the year 1934 will materially help in the carrying out of such useful works as irrigation, communication and the repair of storm damage.
15. Four new licences for forestry areas were issued during the year as against eleven in 1932 and the total area under such licences shews an increase of 666 acres. A large part of these hill-slopes is only thinly planted and much more work could be done by the villagers in developing the areas.
16. There were 372 licences to cultivate pine-apple plants current at the end of the year as against 327 at the end of 1932. The crop is reported to have been fairly good and prices, though not high, ruled much better than in 1932, the average being about $3.50 per picul. No effective steps have yet been taken to start a canning industry in the District.
GENERAL.
17. Rainfall for the year was below the average. Owing to the almost complete drought in the early part of the Summer large tracts of padi-fields were left unplanted and the first crop was a failure. Fortunately the rain came at a critical time just when the seedlings for the second crop were on the point of withering and the crop, which later proved to be a good one, was saved. Prices, however, for the rice were very low.
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