Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1966-1967 — Page 24

received, 7 more than in 1965-66. Questions arising out of the applica- tions are normally discussed and decided at the meetings mentioned in paragraph 42.

46. The number of New Territories modification cases on which the Registrar General's New Territories Section gave advice to the New Territories Administration totalled 25, six less than last year.

Fulfilment of Building Covenants

47. On 3rd November 1965 the Government, recognizing the diffi- culties of developers under the conditions then prevailing in borrowing money to complete their developments within the time limits imposed upon them, announced that a free extension of one year would be granted for the fulfilment of building covenants in Exclusion Orders and Conditions of Sale or Grant which were made or entered into before 1st July 1965. In a further announcement on 20th September 1966, the concession was extended for one year so that developers who applied for and were granted a year's extension under the November 1965 announcement would be granted on application a further one year's free extension provided the extension already granted expired before 30th June 1967.

New Territories Section

48. The New Territories Section of the Registrar General's Depart- ment gives on the spot legal advice to the New Territories Administra- tion at its own Headquarters. Owing to the shortage of legal officers in the Department, and owing also to pressure of work on the liquidation of The Canton Trust and Commercial Bank, Limited, this on the spot service was curtailed in the summer of 1966 for four months, during which time only part-time service was provided, and a number of New Territories land matters were referred to the Land Office for legal advice. Normal operation of this Section resumed on 1st November 1966, when the staff position had improved. This Section is normally staffed by a Senior Legal Assistant, a part-time Legal Assistant, an Assistant Registrar and two experienced Land Office clerks. Among the tasks performed by the Section during the year was the preparation, with the assistance of the Land Office staff, of 61 Crown leases and 610 assignments in connexion with the removal of the villagers from Plover Cove affected by the great waterworks scheme in progress there to their new houses at Tai Po.

18