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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
returns for the owners. Closely connected with the Forestry Lot scheme is the Tree Planting Day campaign. This is held annually in April to encourage more tree planting by schools, public bodies and private individuals, and to make the general public 'forestry conscious', since protection of plantations would be almost im- possible without public understanding and co-operation.
During the dry season from October to March there is a constant threat of fire in plantations and elaborate fire precautions are observed. Fire-lookouts established on strategic hill-tops in planta- tion areas are connected by field telephone to fire control points, where men, equipment and transport stand by during particularly dangerous periods. A system of roads, paths and fire-barriers is also maintained. Six new fire-lookouts have been erected on hill- tops in forest reserves and connected by field telephone to district offices. There were fewer fires and much less damage than in 1958, outbreaks being largely confined to grass areas.
The officer in charge of Research and Investigation continued to add to the herbarium collection, to inquire into the suitability of various species for planting and to conduct experiments on nursery techniques.
Staff training and educative propaganda have been furthered by the holding of courses, the publication of literature, and by broad- casting. Two courses each lasting four weeks provided intensive training for forty Forest Guards and two one-week special courses on fire-spotting and reporting were held for a further twenty men. Three simple pamphlets in Cantonese were published and distrib- uted to forestry lot owners concerning the defoliating Pine cater- pillar, seed collection and fire prevention. Five talks were given over the radio.
The re-export of graded timber to the high-class markets of the United States, Australia, Europe and South Africa continues to expand. There is no locally grown timber available, all timber for local consumption or export being imported, mostly from Borneo.
MARKETING
Fish Marketing Organization. With the aim of promoting the general development of the local fishing industry, Government imposed certain controls after the war on the landing and whole- sale marketing of marine fish. These controls are exercised through