CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE
Superintendent of Crown Lands & Survey: R. H. HUGHES, M.A., F.R.I.C.S. (to 10.11.66) R. C. CLARKE, B.Eng., LL.B., D.P.A., F.R.I.C.S., A.M.I.Min.E. (from 11.11.66)
GENERAL
5.01. The Office is divided into three divisions which are reported on under individual headings. The year has been one of consolidation and increased support of other departments, rather than activity in the sphere of new land development which remained at a low level by comparison with the 1950's and early '60's. On the other hand, the volume of transactions in respect of leased land handled by the Land Division increased and demands on the Planning and Survey Divisions remained at a high level. It was noticeable that developers were not only more selective in their choice of sites but also more concerned with the conditions of their leases in regard both to user and extent of building permitted. Land developers continued to have difficulty in finding purchasers or tenants for certain classes of accommodation, principally large flats. Following this same trend more staff time and effort was required in obtaining payments due and many land transactions were argued more fiercely than heretofore in the negotiating stage.
5.02. Service on departmental and inter-departmental committees made increasing demands on the time of senior staff; such diverse and important subjects as overhead transmission of electricity, containerization and cargo handling, airport expansion and the cross harbour tunnel, were dealt with in committee during the year. While the brunt of the work arising from the June rainstorms fell on the Civil Engineering Office, the many landslides gave rise to questions of liability between property owners and Government, requiring interpretation of land law and lease conditions. However, by the end of the year the majority of such cases had been settled.
5.03. The weekly Land Meeting, under the chairmanship of the Superintendent of Crown Lands & Survey is one of a number of inter-departmental committees on which officers of this sub-department have served. Details are as follows:
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CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE
Superintendent of Crown Lands & Survey: R. H. HUGHES, M.A., F.R.I.C.S. (to 10.11.66) R. C. CLARKE, B.Eng., LL.B., D.P.A., F.R.I.C.S., A.M.I.Min.E. (from 11.11.66)
GENERAL
5.01. The Office is divided into three divisions which are reported on under individual headings. The year has been one of consolidation and increased support of other departments, rather than activity in the sphere of new land development which remained at a low level by com- parison with the 1950's and early '60's. On the other hand, the volume of transactions in respect of leased land handled by the Land Division increased and demands on the Planning and Survey Divisions remained at a high level. It was noticeable that developers were not only more selective in their choice of sites but also more concerned with the con- ditions of their leases in regard both to user and extent of building permitted. Land developers continued to have difficulty in finding pur- chasers or tenants for certain classes of accommodation, principally large flats. Following this same trend more staff time and effort was required in obtaining payments due and many land transactions were argued more fiercely than heretofore in the negotiating stage.
5.02. Service on departmental and inter-departmental committees made increasing demands on the time of senior staff; such diverse and important subjects as overhead transmission of electricity, containeriza- tion and cargo handling, airport expansion and the cross harbour tunnel, were dealt with in committee during the year. While the brunt of the work arising from the June rainstorms fell on the Civil Engineering Office, the many landslides gave rise to questions of liability between property owners and Government, requiring interpretation of land law and lease conditions. However, by the end of the year the majority of such cases had been settled.
5.03. The weekly Land Meeting, under the chairmanship of the Superintendent of Crown Lands & Survey is one of a number of inter- departmental committees on which officers of this sub-department have served. Details are as follows:
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