Protection from Fire.--Three new fire barriers were made at Fanling to protect new plantations, and one between Aberdeen and Little Hongkong necessitated by the alteration of the road at that place.
The Tsing Ming Festival occurred on the 5th April and seven fires were reported on that date.
Four persons were arrested by an Officer in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the same date for setting fire to the plantations on Mt. Davis and they were all convicted at the Police Court and fined $10 each.
The Chung Yang Festival was on the 13th October and although it was a Sunday, which greatly increased the crowds who visited the tombs, only four fires were reported.
Sixty-five fires were reported for the year compared with ninety-six for the previous year. There were 31 in the first quarter, 15 in the second, 1 in the third, and 18 in the fourth.
I have again to thank the Honourable the Captain Superintendent of Police for kindly allowing his Officers, especially at out-stations, to engage coolies and assist in putting out fires which came to their notice.
To the Honourable the Secretary for Chinese Affairs I am also indebted for the assistance of District Watchmen at the spring and autumn festivals.
Forest Guards Service.--Three hundred and fifty-two persons were proceeded against for committing forestry offences. Of these, 264 were convicted, 12 had their bail estreated, 57 were dismissed with a caution and 17 without, one was required to find a personal bond, and one case was withdrawn.
Particulars are given in Tables II and III.
Four contractors had sums, amounting altogether to $34.50, deducted from their securities for damage done to growing trees in the vicinity of their coolies' matsheds.
On one occasion two of the Forest Guards were badly assaulted by seven men whom they found cutting down trees in a plantation near Shaukiwan. All seven men escaped at the time, but later on two of them were arrested and, on conviction, both were sentenced to six weeks' hard labour.
Two Forest Guards resigned during the year.
Planting and Care of Roadside Trees.--In Hongkong and Kowloon 1,000 trees and shrubs were planted alongside, or in the vicinity of, roads.
On the Taipo Road between the 6th and 9th miles, 885 trees and shrubs were planted.