1962-1963 — Page 31

Land for Government and Government-sponsored projects

4.09. As, of necessity, Government must be the largest single developer of land, the office continued to co-ordinate the clearance and allocation of sites for projects carried out by the Engineering and Architectural sub-departments.

Regrant of Crown Leases

4.10. 375 regrants of 75 year non-renewable leases were made, com- pared with 121 in the previous year, and by the end of the year applications in respect of 75% of the area affected had either been dealt with or were under consideration.

Kwun Tong

4.11. 118 more lots were sold or granted by public auction or private treaty, making a total of 324 at the close of the year with a total area of more than 5 million sq. ft. The premium revenue derived from this district since its inception has exceeded $150 million.

Modification of Crown Lease Conditions

4.12. Conditions restricting development, user or sale were modified in respect of 75 lots. Although the figure appears less than in the previous year, this is due to the fact that some modifications were carried out by the process of exchange whereby a new lot number is allocated.

Enforcement of Crown Lease Conditions

4.13. The routine inspection of lots continued and where breaches of lease conditions were found, action was taken in suitable cases either to modify the conditions or cause the breach to be terminated.

Valuations

4.14. These were made for the following purposes and, in addition, assistance in valuation matters was given to other Government depart-

ments:

(a) Resumptions;

(b) Surrenders;

(c) Regrants of Crown Leases;

(d) Renewal of Crown Leases;

(e) Sale and purchase of land and buildings;

(f) Town Planning;

(g) Removal of Restrictive Covenants;

(h) Estate Duty purposes; the hereditaments valued during the year

exceeded $175 million.

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