PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
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native yards has been first to burn it over a naked fire: this is a most wasteful and inefficient practice. A modern steam chest was accordingly built by the Division and this has been lent to a leading junk builder who, although somewhat sceptical in the first instance, is now most enthusiastic about the new method.
Fish farming by the age-old traditional Chinese culture methods constitutes an important part of both the social and economic structure of the New Territories. With a view to assisting this industry, two new fish ponds were built for the Division early in the year. These were used for the holding of grey mullet fry, captured in January, February and March, which it had been intended should be made available to fish farmers for restocking purposes in Sep- tember or October-when this particular species is not ordinarily available. In addition to serving as a valuable demonstration, this action would have permitted the ponds to be usefully employed while settling down. It was there- fore most unfortunate that nearly all the fry should have been lost when these ponds were flooded during the abnor- mally heavy rains in May, when the entire area was com- pletely submerged.
Other activities of the Fisheries Division include the operation of a scheme for loans to fishermen for mechaniza- tion of their junks, financed by Colonial Development and Welfare funds. Eighteen loans, varying from $5,000 to $10,000 each, were made. Training facilities for fishermen continued to be provided. 171 coxswains, 31 engineers, and seven skippers of British-registered trawlers passed examina- tions set by the Marine Department and were granted certificates of competency.
There was no Fisheries Exhibition in 1957 but, instead, a 'Sports Day' was held at the Aberdeen Fisheries Office during the period of the Chinese New Year celebrations. This was organized by the old boys of the coxswain and engineer classes, with the help of the Division. Teams of