55
N 6
31. The total number of persons arrested by Forest Guards for all classes of forestry offences was 615. The Police made arrests to the number of 2,520; making in all a total of 3,135 for the year.
Of this number 1,942 (61.94%) were arrested during the last three months of the year.
Particulars of the cases are given in Tables I & II.
32. Preservation of Local Flora.-As recorded in previous years the necessity for protecting the local flora is very great. During the year under review very much damage was done to the local shrub flora in forests and on hillsides adjacent to thickly and poorly populated areas. Much of this was due to the situation described under paragraph 30, but in this case the offenders did not discriminate between the various plants, gathering whatever came their way. While this is very serious, the more insidious trouble comes from those offenders who have realised the market value, from a plant and flower point of view, of the more showy and attractive species. So far as is possible, with the staff available, some check has been kept on this, but frequent inspections of flower markets, market gardens, etc., are very necessary to maintain control of this evil. The policy of removing to the forest reserves such species as are badly threatened, is being vigorously pursued.
33. Protection of Plantations.-The clearing of all fire bar- riers and forestry paths was carried out before the commence- ment of the dry season. The total length of old fire barriers dealt with was 54 miles and forestry paths 49 miles. New fire barriers were made at Tai Hang and Tsat Tze Mui.
34. Undergrowth Clearing.-In Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, the total areas cleared of undergrowth for various reasons, totalled 8,449,890 sq. feet. Other clearing carried out in connection with surveys, building development and traffic requirements, amounted to 1,310,530 square feet. This represents a total of 4,760,420 square feet or slightly less than 34 acres.
35. Typhoon Damage.-Great damage was caused to trees generally by the typhoon of September 2nd. The roadside trees and those in more or less isolated positions suffered heavily, while in plantations a great deal of damage was done. How- ever, one forest area in the Fanling District, proved the immense value of producing and maintaining an unbroken forest canopy in a Colony such as Hong Kong, which is visited periodically by typhoons of greater or lesser intensity. This particular plantation had not received any thinning nor had it been sub- jected to the unwelcome attentions of illicit tree cutters. It is not possible to give figures for the devastation caused on this
N 7-
occasion, as it will be many months before a true estimate of the position can be made. The work of removal of dead and damaged trees was in progress at the end of the year. All light structures in the various tree nurseries such as matsheds, latrines, etc. were completely destroyed and a large number of the tree seedlings in the nursery beds were either washed out or blown away.
All fruit trees were stripped of their fruits as also were the trees in the Aleurites montana plantation. The latter is much deplored as it was hoped to obtain a good crop of fruits for departmental use and for seed distribution purposes.
36. Scenic Development. The desirability of small improve- ments to the amenities of the town of Victoria and the general tourist routes on the Island and Mainland, was considered by Government as a result of representations made by the Hong Kong Travel Association. In consequence, it was decided to provide a small vote to enable such work to be undertaken. The first developments under this scheme were put in hand during the early part of the year. The sites chosen were areas border- ing the whole length of the Peak Tramway and a sloping area in front of St. John's Cathedral. The following work was carried out in these places:-
Peak Tramway:-The work consisted of clearing where necessary, and planting. In all, sixteen areas were dealt with and plants to the number of 1871 were planted. The species used were Rhododendron indicum sweet, (local variety) (664), Hydrangea Hortensia Sieb. (646), Erythrina Crista-galli Linn. (80), Ixora chinensis Lam. (207), Lagerstroemia indica Linn. (120) and Allamanda Schottii Pohl. (154).
St. John's Cathedral:-The bank in front of the Cathedral was cleared of undergrowth, turfed and planted up with Hydrangea Hortensia Sieb. (195).
37. Government Fuel Supply.-In consequence of the short- age of firewood and the resultant high price for this type of fuel it was arranged, in conjunction with the P. W. D., to supply the requirements of Government departments from the local forest areas, thus to some extent, relieving the local market. With the large number of typhoon damaged trees available, it was possible to provide a supply sufficient to meet this deinand without recourse to systematic extraction from the general forest
areas.
38. Bamboo Survey of Hong Kong and the New Territories.- As a result of contacts made by Dr. Herklots with Dr. F. A. McClure of Lingnan University, Canton, an offer to make a botanical survey of the Bamboos of the Colony was received
56