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A number of very fine specimens of Pinus massoniana, proba- bly the largest on the Island were removed from the site of the new Queen's College at Sokonpo.
Trees were removed front Bonham Road, Victoria Road, Ken. nedy Road. Pokfulam Road, Repulse Bay Road, Deep Water Bay Road, Queen's Road East and Central, Taipo Road and Wongnei- chung Ioad.
At Lai Chi Kok and Fo Pang Hang large numbers of Pinus massoniana were remove to allow for the removal of soil for re- clamation work and for the formation of a cemetery.
The most noticeable tree felling on the island has been that on Morrison Hill where large sections of native trees have been re- moved to allow for the removal of rocks and soil in connection with harbour reclamation work.
Clearing of undergrowth in connection with anti-malarial measures was maintained throughout the whole year, the total area cleared amounted to 8,340,610 sq. ft. while the total area cleared for surveys by P. W. D, 3,090,000 sq. ft.
Nurseries, Agriculture, dc.
Five thousand Camphor trees were raised in the new nursery at Little Hongkong. These will be used for re-planting on the site of the adjoining old forest, which is composed of trees of little value and which are now being felled and removed.
Three hundred pounds of seed of Pinus massoniana and Sixty five pounds of Camphor seed were collected during the year.
The first rice crop was very good, the second crop and pes nuts were fair, and sugar-cane and pineapples very good.
Vegetables and native fruits were grown in the experimental garden at Fanling for demonstration purposes.
Six thousand nine hundred and ninety six packages containing 885,000 bulbs of Narcissus tazetta were inspected and certified for export.
A hundred sheets of new Australian specimens and a small number collected locally were mounted.
Specimens of local plants were identified when brought in by visitors to the Colony or local collectors.
A large number of specimeus of Chinese medicinal herbs were forwarded by the Department of Agriculture, Vancouver, These were all identified and named and all available information concerning the specimens forwarded to the Department.
(e)-LAND GRANTS AND GENERAL VALUE OF LAND.
The net amount of premium received from sales of Crown land and pier rights, New Territories excepted, for the year 1922 was $2,544,225.53, an increase of $952,917.27 on the preceding
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year and $2,033,007 more than the average for the previous five years (1917-1021). This result is due not so much to one or two large items like last year, though large figures have been realized in one or two instances, as to a keen competition amongst the Chinese for most of the lots sold.
The principal items were $206,000 for Inland Lot No. 2368, $110,000 for Inland Lot No. 2409, $108,600 for Ialand Lot No. 2407, $91,500 for Inland Lot No. 2382, $50,000 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1462, $33,700 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1441, $33,470 for Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1483 and $30,000 for Rural Building Lot No. 200.
In the New Territories the net amount received for preinjun on sales of land was $173,054.79, the principal items being $70,000, for New Kowloon Inland Lots Nos. 370 and 371, $12,100 for New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 350, and $11,603 for New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 364 being $87,463.78 more than the year 1921.
The number of deeds and documents registered in the Land Office was 4,146 rather less than last year which was a record year the aggregate consideration set out in deeds registered was $107,392,435.38 as against $107,855,703.10 in 1921,
Resumptions include Kowloon Farm Lots Nos. 49 and 51 and a number of Agricultural Lots at Kau Pai Shek all of which were required for development purposes.
Development at Shamshuipo continues.
The total area of land sold or granted during the year was 243a. 2r. 264p. of which 152a. 2r. Op. were dealt with by the District Officers. The total area of land resumed was 102a. 3r. 17p.
In the New Territories although the acreage disposed of was considerably less than during 1921 the prices realized shewed an upward tendency in both Districts, the chief feature in the Northern District being the high prices paid for building sites on the reclamation at Taipo Market which realized from 50c. to $1 per square foot, whilst in the Southern District some big prices were paid for Inland lots at New Kowloon.
III. LEGISLATION.
Twenty-five (25) Ordinances were passed during 1922, of which twelve were amendments of previous Ordinances.
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