The Municipal Advocate then read paragraph 7 on page 132 of the report and the same effect on page 319, paragraph 7, at the bottom of the Same ropori: asking witness to explain the two passaiies quoted. Witness replied that Mr. Justice Feetham asked him and Mr. Harper, the than Land Commissioner, for information regarding land tenure as a basis of taxation they furnished him with all the Information at their disposal. Justice Feetham he added, subsequently pointed out to them his extreme surprise thal roughly a fifth of the Jand in the Settlement: was held under various kinds of informal titles. fangtans and others, not contributing {0 the revenue of the Council, and asked them why this should be the case. In speaking for himself. witness said they considered the matter to some extent and concluded that the land concerned had not been assessed because the Council was not possession of the necessary information as to the owners of the Jand, the ownership in many cases being kept a secret by "tipao" (Chinese land officials), who found it very advantageous to keep the information from the Chinese authorlties and the Council, Although on one oF two occasions action was contemplated. it was found impractical under the circumstances to do 0.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.