CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 493

COPY.

Sir.

*

C.0.486

PRECO

Land Office: 20 JUL 03)

Hongkong, 16th. June, 1903.

With reference to the Estimates for next

year, I have the honour to suggest that provision may be male

for a permanent Assistant Land Officer for the New Territories.

2.

Now that the whole work of the issuing

and registration of Titles and the keeping up of the Rent Rolls

is to be done by the Land Office Department I find the present

Staff of the Land Officer is inadequate.

3.

I understand, taking both sides of the

hills, there are close on three hundred thousand claims which

have been separately assessed in as many Lots, and although the

average lots are small and produce little rental the work to be

done is great, and will in the future more than justify the ap-

pointment of one additional permanent Officer to the Staff of

the Land Office.

4.

If Mr. Messer is available for the work

I should wish to recommend him for the proposed appointment,

inasmuch as he has already had much experience in the work, and

with his knowledge of surveying, and of the customs of the in-

habitants would be a desirable acquisition for the work.

I have etc..

(Sd) Bruce Shepherd,

Land Officer.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary.

&c.,

&c..

&c...