Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1960-1961 — Page 12

Table II shows the numbers of Crown leases issued annually since 1951-52.

Modification of Lease Covenants

15. Before the war many lots were sold with height and other restrictions which are, under the changed conditions of modern Hong Kong, no longer considered necessary. More recently, many leases were sold at Kwun Tong in 1956 and 1957 restricted to use for the purposes of particular industries, since when the need to provide land especially for these industries has ceased to exist. There are therefore many cases in which Government is prepared to grant modifications of the original restrictions on terms which usually include the payment of an additional premium. During the year fifty three applications were received for such modifications, ten in respect of Kwun Tong lots, the owners of which wished to use them for purposes other than those specified in the Conditions of Sale. In most of the other cases modifications were requested to permit of more intensive development of the land by the erection of blocks of flats. Many similar applications were received by the New Territories Administration in respect of lots in the New Territories, and during the year the Land Office advised on thirty such cases, mainly relating to height restrictions.

Surrenders of Crown Land

16. 206 Deeds of Surrender comprising 273 lots or sections of lots were prepared and put through by the Land Office. The total amount paid by the Government in respect of these was $147,500.

17. In addition to these surrenders of private land the Land Office prepared the necessary documents and put through the surrender of the Kowloon Naval Dockyard in pursuance of the agreement reached with the Admiralty in 1959. With this surrender one of the two remaining freehold titles in the Colony was brought to an end, namely that of Kowloon Marine Lot No. 35. The only freehold title left is that of St. John's Cathedral, which is by section 6 of the Church of England Trust Ordinance (Cap. 277) vested in the trustees thereunder in fee simple.

Acquisition of Land by Charities

18. The Charities (Land Acquisition) Ordinance, 1958, provides that land shall not be assured to or for the benefit of or acquired or possessed by or on behalf of or for the benefit of any charity as defined in the Ordinance or assured, acquired or possessed for any charitable purpose, otherwise than under the authority of a licence granted by the

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