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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 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 Surmer 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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18. The rate of payment of Crown Rent was slow largely because of the failure of the early crop of rice and the lateness of the second crop. Though slow, however, payments came in well towards the end of the collection season and finally only $42.08 remained outstanding in a sum of $95,957.53 which is probably a record for the District.
19. The year was not too good for the fisheries industry as the prices obtained were low. The continued heavy customs duty payable on the import of dried fish into China is having an injurious effect on this industry. This duty exceeds the value of the fish and is as high as $3 per picul.
20. The electric light supply has been extended to Castle Peak and Shataukok. The district between Au Tau and Fanling still remains to be served. Though very popular in the market towns electricity is not being used to any great extent in the villages nor is it likely to be until some reduction is made in the price of current.
21. Work was completed on the building of a storage tank for water at Taipo Market but it has not succeeded in bringing the long hoped for increase in pressure in the mains. Work is now in progress in laying a new and bigger main and when this is finished the full benefit of the new tank should be felt. In- vestigations were made during the year in connection with the provision of water supply for Un Long.
One stream, in particular, has been located with a very satisfactory dry weather flow and work is expected to commence soon on the scheme for piping this water to Un Long and the neighbouring villages. The stream supplies water to a consi- derable area of padi-land and the owners have already petitioned against any interference with the stream. Arrangements of course, will be made to meet their objections.
22. Births and Deaths Registration now appears to be working satisfactorily in the District. At first progress was very slow and it was not easy to persuade the villagers that there was no ulterior motive at the back of the Government's decision to enforce the Law A number of prosecutions had first to be un- dertaken before the people made any more towards registration.
23. In conclusion I desire to record my thanks to the lead ing elders of the District for their continued loyal co-operation and advice in settling disputes both between individuals and between village communities.
18th January, 1934.
E. H. WILLIAMS, District Officer, North.
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