1898 Jan 01
Land ownership chaos in New Territories, 1898
Land ownership chaos in New Territories, 1898
After Britian took over New Territories and outlying Islands in 1898, Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secretary, wrote in 1900 report to government there was too much chaos in Land ownerships in New Territories.
He reported that there were cases involving ill-informed tenants wrongly refusing to pay rent to their Landlords because the lands are in New Territories, and others are to pay rents to the Government.
“Lawless characters also took forcible possession of land and tried to deceive the authority by misrepresentations. Tenants have also endeavoured to usurp the rights of landlords.”
On 20th Oct 1898 , Stewart Lockhart issued a special notice in Chinese to emphasize all landlords and tenants ought to submit land right information to authority.
“Ill-behaved persons will most certainly be severely punished according to law and no leniency will be shown to them. Tremble and obey”
Stewart Lockhart
Colonial Secretary,1900
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Cheung Chau, Police, Rates, 1899
1900 Jan 17
Cheung Chau, Police, Rates, 1899
In January 17th, 1900, Deputy Land Officer, Bruce Shepherd, wrote in his report to Legislative Council on Land Administration in New Territories that owing to the value of the police protection now afforded by their incorporation into the Colony, the owners have voluntarily offered to pay increased Crown Rent, or such increased land tax as I recommend to be fair.
But then in 1901, in his report to Legislative Council, the member of Land Court, H.H.J. Gompertz, remarked that there are claims of land from Tsing Yi, Ma Wan, Ni Ku Chau and Cheung Chau, all 880 cases in total in 1900.
Indian and Chinese Police
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British Colonial Government Policy on land administration in New Territories, 1899
1900 Jan 17
British Colonial Government Policy on land administration in New Territories, 1899
Bruce Shepherd, then Deputy Land Officer, stated clearly in his report to Government dated 17th January, 1900, of British Colonial Government Policy in land administration in New Territories.
The policy would be based on the Land Registration Ordinance of 1843, requiring all land owners to register their land ownerships from Ching Dynasty, they would then be issued title deeds for a period of 99 years.
Henry Blake, the Governor, issued a Chinese notice on 12th July 1899 informing all land owners of New Territories and Outlying Islands to file their claims of land ownerships.
Stewart Lockhart emphasised all owners ought to bring along their Ching Dynasty title deeds in person, submit the filled-in claim form to visiting officer to the village.
A list of land owner names would be posted in the village for 7 days. If there was no dispute, a certificate of title would be issued to individual owner after payment of Crown Rent.
If there were disputes, the case would be passed on to Squatters Board for examination and the outcome would be decided by Governor.
All land in New Territories would be surveyed for its size and exact location, land not claimed would be British Colonial Government land.
“ Do not say that I have not warned you here, do not show disobedience.” Henry Blake.
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English Land Claim Form |
Chinese Land Claim Form |
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