L 4
B-Formation of Pine Plantations.-The planting of Tytam and Pokfulam reservoir catchments with pine was continued, replanting of areas felled during the year was carried out on Mount Kellet and near Aberdeen, while another 400 acres of the Harbour Belt was sown (in sites) between Customs Pass and Lyemun. An area of about 300 acres in the lower valley of the Shingmun stream was sown broadcast with pine seeds in anticipation of future planting. In all 621,554 pits were planted or sown, while 50 pounds of pine seeds were sown broadcast, at a total cost of $2,478.
C.-Care of Trees in Plantations.-Thinning was carried out on the Island in 3B (Tsat Tze Mui) and in all the compartments of Stanley (5). Considerable thinning was also done on the Tai Po Road (9A and 10). The Revenue from these sources amounted to $565.
In many parts of the Island the pine trees have become incumbered with abundant undergrowth. This was at first given away to the older-established and more respectable families of the neighbouring villages, who cut it under the superintendence of foresters. The competition for this privilege was found to be great, and the villagers proved to be willing to do additional work for the Department in return for the fuel removed. A regular system of payment for forestry work in brushwood has now been established but as it only came into full operation after the end of the year an account of it will be left for my next report.
The cleaning of the plantations was carried out principally in 64 (Aberdeen) and 3B (Tsat Tze Mui).
D.-Protection from Fire.-The fire barriers comprising some 4 miles in all were cleaned in the Autumn at a cost of $453. New barriers were made to protect the newly formed plantations in Tytam Block and the Harbour Belt. Some small fires occurred.
E. Forest Guard Service.-The Forest Guard Service has been maintained in an efficient condition during the year. An improvement has been made by the cutting of the Forestry Service Paths (see below) through places where stealing had been prevalent. It is understood also that the supply of brushwood obtained by the villagers has been the cause of reducing thefts of pinewood in neighbourhood of the villages concerned.
A pamphlet, drawn up and printed in English and Chinese during the year with a view to circulation to the Chinese Schools throughout the Colony and containing elementary information upon the sowing and raising of trees and upon the advantages which follow afforestation, should in time have the effect of creating an intelligent appreciation of and respect for the plantations.
The additional rate imposed upon the village of Tai Hang under Ordinance 14 of 1888, which was to be discontinued owing to cessation of stealing in January, had to remain in force during the year owing to a report of further damage to the Crown plantations round the village in March.
A case of some importance to the Department was decided in November in which the lessees of two Farm Lots at Wongneichung were required to pay a hundred dollars on account of unauthorized removal of trees blown down by the typhoon and of others from their lots. In the leases of these (like the great majority of Farm Lots) all trees are reserved to the Crown.
One fuel stealer was banished during the year in consequence of a second conviction for unlawful removal of trees from a Government plantation.
Efforts were made during the year to make it easier for the protective service to deal with the occupants of matsheds situated in or near Government plantations. Such people have always proved a thorn in the side of the service because, being on the spot night and day, they can, if so inclined, steal pine fuel with comparative safety. A form of agreement has now been drawn up by which the owners of matsheds give surety in a sufficient sum for the safe keeping of trees within 500 yards of their matsheds from damage by their people. This should have a good effect.
A considerable number of cases has recently been brought before the Magistrates in which Chinese have been arrested for removing large quantities of flowering shrubs, ferns and other plants from Crown Land round the town and at the Peak. As it became evident that some of our more beautiful wild flowers were likely to become exterminated if this were allowed to continue the procedure was adopted, which has been used and found effective in country districts in England, that is to say a notification was published pointing out what plants might and what might not be taken from public land. The same notification has been used with success to check damage to the newly planted pine seedlings near the villages in New Kowloon. See Tables II and III.