+
[ 6 ]
In September, a consignment of 2,200 cuttings, in five varieties, was received om Java. These cuttings were planted at Ha Ts'ün, but owing to the lateness of e season, they have not done well, only about 300 plants having survived.
The quantity of land under sugar cultivation in the New Territory is estimated over 7,000 acres.
At the suggestion of Mr. TUTCHER it is intended to establish Experimental ardens on some of the agricultural land in the New Territory. Mr TUTCHER IS 'opinion that there are many kinds of fruit which could be grown and that the xperiment if successful would improve the varieties already in the market and so supply new kinds. He mentions Agare sisalina as a plant likely to succeed ad states that though sisal hemp is not of such good fibre as Manila hemp, it will
obably repay cultivation.
Great difficulty has been experienced in the attempt to prevent tree-cutting. but before effective measures can be taken to stop the practice, the Land Court will have to decide the validity of the various leases under which it is alleged that the Chinese Government granted the owners power to cut down trees growing on their property. If such rights are established it may be necessary for the Government to purchase them in cases where the trees are of importance to the health of the New Territory.
PUBLIC WORKS.
I attach a report (Appendix No. 4) of the Director of Public Works on the k done by his Department in the New Territory during 1900.
The main road in course of construction between Kowloou and Táipó, which n completed will be about 16 miles in length, has now reached a point 114 s distant from Kowloon. From this point on to Táipó there is a passable ath. The plans for the last 5 miles are being completed in the Public Works tment and it is hoped the road will be finished this year. It is intended tely to extend this road beyond Táipó to the frontier.
he road to Kowloon City, 14 miles in length, was completed early in 1900, also the cross-road leading from Tái Shek Ku to Yaumati. Both these ave proved of great value as main arteries for traffic.
lephone communication was extended to the temporary Police Station at in, and also to Shat'aukok, so that the telephone communication between the Police Stations in the New Territory and with Victoria is now complete. rmanent Police Starions have been completed and occupied at Au Tau, at hán, and at Shat'aukok near Starling Inlet, while a station at Saikung ter Bay is in course of construction.
iron and concrete bridge of two spans of 15 feet each has been built on the { Road just beyond Kowloon City, and the attention of the Public Works nent has also been engaged by the renewal of the Kowloon City Pier and ction of a causeway to connect the hill on which the temporary official Táipó now stand with an island close up to deep water.
photographs, prepared by Mr. GALE, Executive Engineer of the Public rtment, which show the nature of the works that have been undertaken. porary quarters at Táipó are only matsheds and not well suited for their has been thought advisable before finally deciding to erect permanent scertain by experience which would be the most suitable situation.
EDUCATION.
as so far been done in the way of Education in the New Territory. It , been decided to build a school for teaching English at Un-long and ld season, the attendance officer of the Inspector of Schools visited the Territory. An inquiry has been made regarding the schools at stence and steps will be taken to bring them so far as possible under
Department.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
report (see Appendix No. 5) drawn up by Mr. Ho NAI HOP, Hongkong College of Medicine for Chinese, showing the work done
partment in the New Territory.