Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1969-1970 — Page 25

New Territories

Tsuen Wan Inland Lot

Tsuen Wan Marine Lot ...

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Surrenders of Land to Crown

51. 239 Deeds of Surrender comprising 323 lots or sections of lots were prepared and put through by the Land Office. Most of these surrenders were required in connection with exchanges negotiated by Government for public purposes and with regrants of land. Many of the remaining surrenders were free surrenders of portions of scaveng- ing lanes being taken over by the Government. Compensation was paid for lots acquired by the Government by way of surrender under the Urban Renewal Pilot Scheme and in a relatively small number of other cases, mostly having to do with street widening. The total amount of compensation paid for surrenders of land in 1969-70 was $5,429,085, as compared with the total of $1,224,914 in 1968-69.

Re-entries upon land by Crown

52. Under the provisions of the Crown Rights (Re-entry) Ordinance, land may be re-entered upon by the Crown for the breach of an cove- nant in the Crown lease thereof, or for the breach of any condition or stipulation of any tenancy thereof, by the registration in the Land Office of a Memorial of Re-entry signed by an officer duly authorized by the Governor. The land is thereupon re-vested in the Crown, but the lessee may petition the Supreme Court or the Governor in Council for relief against forfeiture.

53. During 1969-70, five urban lots were re-entered upon by the Crown for non-payment of premium. All were held under Conditions of Regrant for use for non-industrial purposes. The total areas of these lots were 3,988 sq. ft.

54. After petitions made by the former lessee, one to the Supreme Court and ten to the Governor in Council, for relief against forfeiture, re-entries on 15 urban lots were cancelled upon payment of arrears of premium and interest, and administrative and Land Office registration fees.

Legal Proceedings against Property Owners

55. In some cases where there is a default in payment of Crown rent or premium, as an alternative to re-entry legal proceedings are

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