XN000022-1973-03-31 — Page 2

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Saturday, March 31, 1973

LAND GRANTS FOR CHARITABLE AND WELFARE PURPOSES

During the past two years, the Government has granted almost

two million square feet of land for charitable and welfare purposes.

Last year alone, a total of 1,145,000 square feet was granted

to 19 different organisations.

These grants are made by private treaty, and the premium charged

varies from nil to full market value according to the purposes for which

the land is to be used.

Grants have included land for schools, homes for the aged,

pre-vocational training, workers housing schemes, churches and temples.

Charitable organisations have been granted land since the earliest

days of Hong Kong.

Although most records were destroyed during the war, some of the

oldest recipients are known to have been St. John's Cathedral, the Po

Leung Kuk and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.

The largest single grant recently was of 519,000 square feet

to the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries for an

extension to the cemetery at Cape Collinson.

Other large areas granted have included 276,000 square feet at

Shuen Wan near Tai Po to the Hong Kong Sea School for a new school, and

123,600 square feet to the Junk Bay Medical Relief Council for a preventorium.

Most grants ....