Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 232

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18. Maintenance of the Clock Tower.-The clock and tower have been maintained in good order.

LAND SURVEY BRANCH.

19. Land Sales.-The lots sold by public auction during the year numbered 27, their aggregate area amounting to 1,450,329 square feet or 33.21 areas. The premia realized amounted to $200,038 and the annual Crown rents to $6,398. The sales included 6 lots in the Taipingshan Resumed Area, comprising in all 11,475 square feet, which realized $53,570.

20. Extensions of Lots.-The areas of extensions granted totalled 292,584 square feet or 6.72 acres, the premia in respect of which amounted to $27,321.33 and annual Crown rents to $2,230.63.

21. Land disposed of without public auction. An area of 2,450 square feet was granted to Messrs. Butterfield & Swire as an extension of Inland Lot No. 1,336, but was afterwards converted into a separate lot (Inland Lot No. 1,406). The premium paid was $122.50 and the annual Crown rent is $4.00. A piece of land on the northern slope of Mount Davis has been granted for the purposes of a cemetery for the Eurasian Community, subject to a nominal Crown rent of $1.00 per annum.

An area of 16 acres at Deep Water Bay has, with the consent of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, been leased to The Royal Hongkong Golf Club for the purposes of a Golf Links subject to an annual rental of $100.

Two pieces of land of a combined area of 7,300 square feet near Mongkok, Kowloon, were let on a short lease at an annual rental of $110 for the establishment of a cracker factory.

22. Re-adjustment of Boundaries and Crown Rents.-Principally owing to the expiry of the period during which Crown rent at a reduced rate was payable for certain lots in Kowloon, pending their development, an increased annual sum of $457.11 will be received in future on account of the re- adjustment of boundaries and Crown rents.

23. Conversion of Farm Lots into Inland Lots.-By arrangement with the lessees, Kowloon Farm Lot No. I has been converted into Inland Lots, the areas required for the construction of public streets and lanes being surrendered to the Government. The total annual rent payable in respect of the conversion amounts to $340, but a reduction of $90 per annum has been allowed meanwhile pending the development of this somewhat extensive property.

24. Lands in Military Occupation.-Consequent on the purchase of the Mount Austin Hotel property by the Military Authorities, the annual rent hitherto payable has been capitalized and placed to the credit of the Colonial Government in the account kept of transactions concerning lands in Military occupation.

25. Resumptions of land. Inland Lot No. 144 has been resumed for the purpose of erecting Quarters for the Warders at Victoria Gaol. A strip of land was also resumed from Kowloon Inland Lot No. 312 for the widening of a public lane.

26. Squatters' Licences, &c.-The number of licences issued was 1,225 and the fees received on account of same amounted to $3,609.25. Licences have been written off or cancelled during the course of the year to the number of 41. A sum of $4,645 was realized from the letting of sites for booths at the Race Meeting.

27. Leuse Plans, &c.-Plans and particulars of 122 lots have been forwarded to the Land Office for the preparation of new leases; boundary stones have been fixed for 35 lots; and 77 acres of land have been surveyed in connection with land sales or the issue of leases.

WORK UNDER THE BUILDING Ordinance.

28. Plans Deposited.--Plans have been deposited to the number of 427; 10 for European dwell- ings, 78 for Chinese houses and 339 for miscellaneous structures.

29. Certificates Granted.-Certificates have been granted under section 53 of Ordinance 15 of 1889 for 355 houses, and permission has been given for the erection of 74 verandahs and 13 piers over Crown land or foreshore.

30. Permits and Notices-Notices relating to structures in a dangerous condition have been served in 13 cases; 2,322 notices and permits of a miscellaneous nature have been issued; and 70 permits have been granted for the erection and repair of monuments and enclosures in the Colonial Cemetery. The fees received for the latter amount to $125.82.

31. Industrial Undertakings.-Satisfactory evidence of the progress of the Colony as an industrial centre is afforded by the establishment of the new Kerosene Depit at North Point, the capacity of which is already being largely increased, and by the operations which are in active progress for the construction of a Cement Factory at Kowloon, Cotton Mills at East Point, and an extension of the Dock Company's premises at Kowloon.