HKG-CAR1887-1903 — Page 274

Administrative Reports 行政報告書 All AI Reviewed

1887-1903

267

work of registration, no time will be lost in fixing the Crown rents to be paid as accurately as possible, and making the necessary collections for the past and the present year.

As Mr. Shepherd states in his memorandum (Appendix No. VIII), arrangements have been made for the voluntary registration of all Chinese deeds by memorial under the Deeds Registration Ordinance of 1843.

It was thought at one time that it would be well to grant Crown Leases in exchange for existing Chinese titles, but, as Mr. Shepherd points out, the Government can only grant leases for a term not exceeding 99 years from the date of the Convention under which the New Territory is leased to Great Britain, so the idea of granting such Crown Leases had to be abandoned.

When it is remembered that great confusion has existed in the matter of land in the New Territory for years, and that disputes and family feuds have been general in consequence, it is not surprising that, now an endeavour is being made to adjust all difficulties and to introduce a well-ordered system, there should be many cases requiring readjustment by the Government.

The Government has come to the conclusion that such disputes can be most easily and readily dealt with by a Land Court, especially established for the purpose, and it is hoped that such a Court will shortly be created by law, as it cannot fail to be a great boon to the inhabitants of the New Territory.

BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT.

I attach a brief report (see Appendix No. XII) from Mr. Ford, Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department, which shows that steps have already been taken to protect trees in the New Territory. At the suggestion of Mr. Ford, a notice was issued in Chinese, urging the people not to cut down the old trees which surround most villages.

The result of the notice has proved satisfactory. With a view to encouraging the cultivation of sugar cane, the Governor obtained two Chattanooga Sugar Mills from America. Trials have been made with these mills, at which sugar-cane growers were present. They expressed themselves as satisfied with the superiority of the new mills over their own mills, and it is not improbable that in time the Chattanooga Mill will supplant the native mill, when the natives realise that the former effects a saving in labour and produces more satisfactory results than the latter.

Improved varieties of sugar-cane are being obtained from Java, the Straits Settlements, and Honolulu, and arrangements have been made for cultivating them when received.

Pine-apple is largely grown in the New Territory, especially in the neighbourhood of Ts'ün Wan, where a Cannery for canning the fruit of the pines has been started.

A superior variety of pine-apple has been introduced from Ceylon by Mr. Ford for distribution among the growers of the plant.

PUBLIC WORKS.

I attach a memorandum (Appendix No. XIII) from the Director of Public Works, showing the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1899.

The chief work on which the Director of Public Works has been engaged is that of the Main Road from British Kowloon to Táipó, which was commenced immediately after the territory had been taken over. The only means of communication hitherto existing between Hongkong and the newly-leased area has been by sea, which in bad weather is impracticable, and by a rough footpath over a pass about 1,000 feet high from Kowloon to Sha-tin, situated on an arm of Mirs Bay. There can be little doubt that the construction of this road, which is desirable both for strategical and administrative purposes, will bring the New Territory into closer relations with Hongkong proper, and will lead to an increase in traffic.

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1887-1903 267 work of registration, no time will be lost in fixing the Crown rents to be paid as accurately as possible, and making the necessary collections for the past and the present year. As Mr. Shepherd states in his memorandum (Appendix No. VIII), arrangements have been made for the voluntary registration of all Chinese deeds by memorial under the Deeds Registration Ordinance of 1843. It was thought at one time that it would be well to grant Crown Leases in exchange for existing Chinese titles, but, as Mr. Shepherd points out, the Government can only grant leases for a term not exceeding 99 years from the date of the Convention under which the New Territory is leased to Great Britain, so the idea of granting such Crown Leases had to be abandoned. When it is remembered that great confusion has existed in the matter of land in the New Territory for years, and that disputes and family feuds have been general in consequence, it is not surprising that, now an endeavour is being made to adjust all difficulties and to introduce a well-ordered system, there should be many cases requiring readjustment by the Government. The Government has come to the conclusion that such disputes can be most easily and readily dealt with by a Land Court, especially established for the purpose, and it is hoped that such a Court will shortly be created by law, as it cannot fail to be a great boon to the inhabitants of the New Territory. BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT. I attach a brief report (see Appendix No. XII) from Mr. Ford, Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department, which shows that steps have already been taken to protect trees in the New Territory. At the suggestion of Mr. Ford, a notice was issued in Chinese, urging the people not to cut down the old trees which surround most villages. The result of the notice has proved satisfactory. With a view to encouraging the cultivation of sugar cane, the Governor obtained two Chattanooga Sugar Mills from America. Trials have been made with these mills, at which sugar-cane growers were present. They expressed themselves as satisfied with the superiority of the new mills over their own mills, and it is not improbable that in time the Chattanooga Mill will supplant the native mill, when the natives realise that the former effects a saving in labour and produces more satisfactory results than the latter. Improved varieties of sugar-cane are being obtained from Java, the Straits Settlements, and Honolulu, and arrangements have been made for cultivating them when received. Pine-apple is largely grown in the New Territory, especially in the neighbourhood of Ts'ün Wan, where a Cannery for canning the fruit of the pines has been started. A superior variety of pine-apple has been introduced from Ceylon by Mr. Ford for distribution among the growers of the plant. PUBLIC WORKS. I attach a memorandum (Appendix No. XIII) from the Director of Public Works, showing the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1899. The chief work on which the Director of Public Works has been engaged is that of the Main Road from British Kowloon to Táipó, which was commenced immediately after the territory had been taken over. The only means of communication hitherto existing between Hongkong and the newly-leased area has been by sea, which in bad weather is impracticable, and by a rough footpath over a pass about 1,000 feet high from Kowloon to Sha-tin, situated on an arm of Mirs Bay. There can be little doubt that the construction of this road, which is desirable both for strategical and administrative purposes, will bring the New Territory into closer relations with Hongkong proper, and will lead to an increase in traffic.

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1887-1903 } 267 work of registration, no time will be lost in fixing the Crown rents to be paid as accurately as possible, and making the necessary collections for the past and the present veur. As Mr. Shepherd states in his memorandum (Appendix No. VIII), arrangements have beeu made for the voluntary registration of all Chinese deeds by memorial under the Deeds Registration Ordinance of 1843. It was thought at one time that it would be well to grant Crown Leases in exchange for existing Chinese titles, but, as Mr. Shepherd points out, the Government can only grant leases for a term not exceeding 99 years from the date of the Convention under which the New Territory is leased to Great Britain, so the idea of granting such Crown Leases had to be abandoned. When it is remembered that great confusion has existed in the matter of land in the New Territory for years, and that disputes and family feuds have been general in conse- quence, it is not surprising that, now an endeavour is being made to adjust all difficulties and to introduce a well-ordered system, there should be many cases requiring readjust- ment by the Government. The Government has come to the conclusion that such disputes can be most easily and readily dealt with by a Land Court, especially established for the purpose, and it is hoped that such a Court will shortly be created by law, as it cannot fail to be a great boon to the inhabitants of the New Territory. BOTANICAL AND AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT. I attach a brief report (see Appendix No. XII) from Mr. Ford, Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department, which shows that steps have already been taken to protect trees in the New Territory. At the suggestion of Mr. Ford, a notice was issued in Chinese, urging the people not to cut down the old trees which surround most villages. The result of the notice has proved satisfactory. With a view to encouraging the cultivation of sugar cane, the Governor obtained two Chattanooga Sugar Mills from America. Trials have been made with these mills, at which sugar-cane growers were present. They expressed themselves as satisfied with the superiority of the new mills over their own mills, and it is not improbable that in time the Chattanooga Mill will supplant the native mill, when the natives realise that the former effects a saving in labour and produces more satisfactory results than the latter. Improved varieties of sugar-cane are being obtained from Java, the Straits Settlements, and Honolulu, and arrangements have been made for cultivating them when received. Pine-apple is largely grown in the New Territory, especially in the neighbourhood of Ts'ün Wan, where a Cannery for canning the fruit of the pines has been started. A superior variety of pine-apple has been introduced from Ceylon by Mr. Ford for distribution among the growers of the plant. PUBLIC WORKS. I attach a memorandum (Appendix No. XIII) from the Director of Public Works, showing the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1899. The chief work on which the Director of Public Works has been engaged is that of the Main Road from British Kowloon to Táipó, which was commenced immediately after the territory had been taken over. The only means of communication hitherto existing between Hongkong and the newly-leased area has been by sea, which in bad weather is impracticable, and by a rough footpath over a pass about 1,000 feet high from Kowloon to Sha-tin, situated on an arm of Mirs Bay. There can be little doubt that the construction of this road, which is desirable both for strategical and administrative purposes, will bring the New Territory into closer relations with Hongkong proper, and will lead to an increase in traffic.

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1887-1903

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267

work of registration, no time will be lost in fixing the Crown rents to be paid as accurately as possible, and making the necessary collections for the past and the present

veur.

As Mr. Shepherd states in his memorandum (Appendix No. VIII), arrangements have beeu made for the voluntary registration of all Chinese deeds by memorial under the Deeds Registration Ordinance of 1843.

When it is remembered that great confusion has existed in the matter of land in the New Territory for years, and that disputes and family feuds have been general in conse- quence, it is not surprising that, now an endeavour is being made to adjust all difficulties and to introduce a well-ordered system, there should be many cases requiring readjust- ment by the Government.