D
92
of these trees and all are malarious," And again, at page 234, he says: That the planting of woods is not a protection against malaria has been demonstrated by the example already re- corded of the Tre Fontane, where in spite of the Eucalyptus wood, which has grown vigorously, this disease still remains," In consideration of facts such as these, which were not alt gether unknown before the publication of Professor Celli's book, I think cautiou should be exer- eised in adopting planting recommendations for the object of preventing malaria only. The planting of Eucalyptus trees which has been done here was not intended any more than the planting of the other trees as a preventative of malaria specially but was in common with all tree-planting intended to act in other ways for to improvement and healthfulness of the districts.
Fire Barriers.-Trees planted have been pro- tected from fire as far as possible by making 4 miles of fire barriers 15 feet wide and re-clearing 1 mile 10 feet wide.
Conservancy. No system of conservancy of trees which were in existence before the terri- -tory was taken over has yet been adopted, as the time has not yet arrived for taking action in this matter, but notes and information are being collected in preparation for what may seem ad- visable in due course. The Government is in possession of information connected with this subject and also of my views on the same to which there is no necessity for making further allusion here.
Estimates.--I found that $8,000 had been placed on the Estimates of the Department for expenditure in the New Territory this year, but as this was in excess of present requirements and was based on a proposed plan of work which was unsatisfactory and included rearing trees by the more expensive system of sowing in situ instead of the effective and vastly less expensive system of sowing broadcast above referred to, I recommended its reduction to $3,000 which is ample for this year.
A ECONOMIC GARDEN,
the
was
· [July 14, 1902,
5 With the increasing number and size of the ves els now visiting Hongkong there is a corresponding increase in the need for a suffi cient number of qualified men to act as pilots.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
4. While all vessels do not make use of Chinese Secretary, brought up the subject for re- consideration, with the result that the lesser pilots, many commanders find it an advantage scheme sanctioned. Changed condit- to have a man on board with local knowledge ions having made still greater claims for as to the state of the tides, currents, and the extended recreation grounds and the probabili-position of the various ships in barbour, ties of their acquirement having become more hopeful I made a request in January of this year for a further re-consideration of the large scleme and it received the warm support of His Excellency the Officer Administering the William J. Gascoigne, Government, Sir K.C.M.G. It is hoped, therefore, that during the present year a very large portion of the main scheme will be auctioned and that plaus and arrangements for laying it out can be put in hand. This land would provide public golf links and law s for tennis, bowling, football. | croquet, &c., in combination with an ornamental Park. The Honourable J. H. Stewart Lock- bart, C.M.G., suggested at the first meeting of the Coronation Committee that this work should form a permanent memorial of the Coro- nation of His Majesty Kind Edward VII and that the grounds steald be named King's Park.
|
WESTERN DISTRICT PARK.
The upper portion of this land was laid ont in 1898 by the Public Works and the Botanica and Afforestation Departments, the former making roads and re-distributing a large amount of soil, and the latter continuing soil re-arrangements and carrying out the turfing and planting. Part of the money for the work was provided by the Government and part by the owners of property in the district. In response to a desire of residents in the neigh bourhood the Government decided last year to extend the work to the portion of land on the north side of Lower Richmond Road, and $10,000 for this purpose was included by this Department in the Estimates for 1902. This, however, I found was much in excess of what was necessary and the sum was consequently reduced to $5,000, The work will again be carried out jointly by the Pallic Works and the Botanical Departments, the former having the heaviest portion in band. The maintenance of this Park, for which no additional sum of money has been provided, will rest with this Department and the expense will be defrayed by the Forestry Vote, which is sufficient for
at present. purpose
the
6. The older class of Chinese pilots are through progression of time disappearing and their place is being taken by men not possess. ing the requisite knowledge for the work now demanded of them.
7. A few of the shipping companies are able to employ suitable men, but many commanders are obliged on arrival at the entrance of the har. bour to take the first man who boards his ship without having any means of knowing whether he is capable of handling the vessel properly.
8. The risk of loss of life and property which may result from the improper handling of a vessel is too well understood to require dis- cussion. We are strongly of the opinion which has already been expressed by the General Committee of the Chamber of Commerce that the time has now arrived when the pilots in this port should be put under proper Gover. ment control, as has already been done in the case of masters and engineers of steam launches.
6. We do not propose that pilotage should be compulsory, but our suggestion is that no one, native or foreigner, should be allowed to act as a pilot inside Hongkong waters for any vessel (other than native sailing craft) unless he holds a certificate of competency from the Harbour Master.
10. The certificate to be issued yearly, to bear the photograpli of the holder, with other The certificate to be necessary information. produced when asked for on boarding a vessel. 11. We would suggest that the fee for certificate should be a nominal one, say $20 for first certificate and $5 a year for renewal.
12. No limit to be placed on the number of licences issued. The question of limiting licences and forming the pilots into a regular associated body can be considered at a later day if found desirable.
13. As masters of vessels visiting this port have hitherto engaged unlicenced pilots, we would suggest that should it be decided in future to issue licences to pilots, a notice to this effect be inserted in the Harbour Regulations for the information of the masters of vessels.
FLECTRIC LIGHTING OF BOTANIC GARDENS.
In June of last year His Excellency Major- General Sir W. J. Gascoigne, K.C M.G., with Hie Excellency the communicated Governor reporting an offer of Lieutenant- 14. In the event of any complaint being made Colonel Teversham, to allow his regimental against a certificated pilot, the Harbour Master land to play on certain days in the Botanic to hold an enquiry into the matter and to have Gardens for the benefit of the public. In the power to punish the pilot if found guilty of consequence of this it was decided to make the charge brought against him,
rovision for lighting the Gardens by electricity for which a sum of $800 was placed on the Estimates for the year. An examination of the proposed arrangements have, however, revealed tome weak points which required further consideration and, if eventually adopted, perhaps certain modifications. In the mean- time satisfactory arrangements can be made for lighting by other means.
THE PILOT-LICENSING
¡QUESTION.
In C.S.O. No. 1,768 (1), dated 7th July, 1899, when dealing with the subject of the New Territory I suggested amongst other things the establishment of an Experimental Garden for the purpose of introducing and distributing amongst the cultivators plants of economic value which would be new to the territory. In 1930 this object was approved and money provided in the Estimates for carrying it out in 1901, when, during my absence, a site for the garden was selected and an attempt made to purchase the land, but the matter of owner- ship and the high price asked for the land caused a delay and the question was still open on my retura in September, which, however, was quite early enough as land could not have been dealt with sat. isfactorily at that time. On inspection I found the selected site unsuitable and recommended its abandonment, which was approved, and another site has been chosen which has all the advantages desired. This newly chosen site, which is accessible in one hour from Hongkong by launch, his also the advantage, which the other had not, of proximity to suitable bill land for experimental forest tree cultivation hich can be c.nducted under the same econo- mical management as the garden will have. KOWLOON PUBLIC RECREATION ground. In 1898, His Excellency the Governor Sir H. A. Blake, G.C.M.G., foresaw the necessity of providing additional recreation grounds, and after discussion of the subject he requested me to submit a report on the most favourable site for a Park at Kowloon. This report was the following letters-Hongkong and forwarded on January 12th, 1899. It contained Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., to Chamber B recommendation for the formation of a large of Commerce, dated 2nd May; Chamber of Park of about 90 acres of land, part of which Commerce to the Hon. the (olonial Secretary,
dated 9th May; the Hon, the was to be taken up by a new road that should open out on one side for a good class of houses. Secretary to (hamber of Commerce, dated 15th In the event of this scheme being considered May. We now beg to place before the Com- too ambitious or of there being then insurmount-mittee our views on this subject. able difficulties in carrying it out, I submitted an alternative plan which would allow of a Park of about 11 acres being made at first This large scheme would necessitats the removal of Military, Navy and Police rifle ranges and the forfeiture or exchange of other Military interests. At the time there were difficulties in carrying out either scheme, but in the early part of 1900 the Honourable F. H May, C.M.G., who was then Acting Colonia
We have received for publication the follow- ing letter on the above subject :-
Hongkong, 10th June. SIB,-As requested by the Committee of the General Chamber of Commerce, we have con- sidered the question of licensing the pilots at this port and in this connection have had before
us
Colonial.
2. A considerable demand exists, and bas existed for years, for pilots at this port,, more particularly for the purpose of berthing steamers at the wharves of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co.
3. Up to the present this work has been car- ried on by Chinese who in the past were all or nearly all well known men possessed of the requisite knowledge and capable of handling the class of vessels then visiting the port.
15. The complaints which should be investi- gated to be those of carelessness, or incom. petency in navigation, insolence to the officer officers of the Harbour of the ship or Department, drunkenness or any other acts of misdemeanour which may militate against the efficient carrying ont of a pilot's duties,
to
16. The persons who will have the power ask the Harbour Master to enquire into the conduct of any pilot should be:-The officers of the Harbour 1 epartment and/or Water Police; the master or owners of any other vessel on which the pilot in engaged; the master or owners of any vessel or any person whose pro- perty may have been injured (or evзn jeopar- dised) through the action of the pilot.
17. The Harbour, Master should have the power to punish a pilot found guilty of miscon duct or improper navigation by the infliction of fines or by the temporary suspension or cancel- lation of his certificate.
18. A pilot whose certificate is absolutely cancelled should not on any further occasion obtain another certificate.
19. In making these suggestions it is not intended that the Colonial Government in any way accept any responsibility in issuing certi ficates. The examination and control of the pilots to be merely an executive function such as is carried out in Great Britain by the Board of Trade or the Trinity House.
We have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servants,
E. A. HEWETT. A. HAUPT. W. POATE.
t
A. R. LOWE, Esq., Secretary, Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.