CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5] — Page 205

COPY.

Sir,

C.0

Magistracy,

10293

204

Hongkong, February 9th., 1904.

$

I have the honour to submit the following

report of work done by the Land Court in 1908.

During the field season which ended about

the middle of the year the demarcation of the New Territory was

completed. The last districts done were Lamma Island and the

Coast Strip between Tai Lam Chung and Lai Chi Kok including

Psing 1 Island.

2.

This work which has occupied nearly three

years has been carried on to a great extent under the immediate

control of Mr. J. R. Wood who has been in charge of the branch

office at Tai Po, and who has done uniformly good work. I am

greatly indebted to Mr. W. J. Newland of the Indian Survey

Department for his ready co-operation throughout. The total

number of claims demarcated is 334,862. Full particulars of

every Lot are contained in the field books compiled by the

demarcators.

3.

Of this large number of Lots 277,109 have

been formally laid claim to by the holders; leaving a balance

of about 15% unclaimed. Under the provisions of the Ordinance

it was necessary to receive every claim that was duly laid.

The Honourable

A large proportion of the claims however have really no basis

of title at all and it will have to be determined by Govern-

ment as a question of policy what length and quality of occupa-

tion will entitle the holders to the rights of ownership. Not

more

The Acting Colonial Secretary.