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In the choice of a rotation then the predominating considerations before the Government would be artistic beauty and financial profit, and the two can perhaps be best combined on a rotation of 25-30 years. There can be no question that the older the trees grow the more picturesque they become: that this is recognized by the residents of Hongkong, as well as by the last Superintendent of this Department, Mr. FORD, is fully shown by their letters and writings in the local press. Considering, however, (1) that the 25-30 year-old tree is a good tree, 25-30 feet high; (2) that growth rapidly falls off after this age; and (3) that the high rate of interest on money in Hongkong and the various risks affecting the plantations, point to a low rotation, the Government is perhaps hardly justified in incurring the loss entailed by a longer one.
S. T. DUNN,
Superintendent, Botanical and Afforestation Department.
6. Despatch from the Governor of Hongkong to the Viceroy and
[No. 2524/05.]
MY LORD,
Governor-General of India.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 5th April, 1905.
I have the honour to invoke your Lordship's kind assistance in enabling me to determine a question that has arisen as to the best rotation for the felling and re-planting of the pine plantations in the Island of Hongkong.
2. The Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department holds the opinion that the rotation should be one of 25 years. His predecessor in office, who had long experience in the Island, considers that, as the trees will not have reached full maturity till they are about 50 years of age, a rotation of 50 years should be adopted.
3. Extract from a private letter of the latter gentleman and a Memorandum by the present Superintendent on the subject are enclosed.
4. In view of the divergent opinions held by the gentlemen referred to, I shall be obliged if Your Lordship will be good enough to accord this Government the assistance of the opinion of the Inspector-General of Forests in India, as to the rotation he would recommend as economically the best under the conditions described in Mr. DUNN's Memorandum. Some of these conditions are believed to be not unlike those that obtain in parts of the Himalayas. I have, &c.,
The Right Honourable
Lord CURZON OF KEDLESTON,
Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
M. NATHAN.
7. Despatch from the Viceroy and Governor-General of India to the
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Governor of Hongkong.
SIMLA, the 30th May, 1905.
With reference of Your Excellency's letter No. 2524 of 1905-C.S.O., G., dated the 5th ultimo, I enclose for information, a copy of a note by the Inspector- General of Forests to the Government of India on the growth of Pinus mussoniana in the Island of Hongkong.-I have, &c.,
To His Excellency
Major Sir MATTHEW NATHAN, R.E., K.C.M.G.,
Governor of Hongkong.
CURZON.