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The most noticeable of the tree fellings on the Island during the year has been that on Morrison Hill where large sections of native trees have been removed to allow for the removal of rocks and soil in connection with harbour reclamation work.
The felling of trees by the contractor at Little Hongkong forest was much delayed owing to labour troubles and most of the work carried out by him was confined to the felling of badly-shaped or damaged trees, the majority of which were made use of as firewood or for conversion into charcoal.
Care of Trees in Plantations.-A regular inspection of all planted and native trees was carried out throughout the year. Dead or badly-damaged trees were removed as required and large trees on slopes near public roads and paths and which were regarded as dangerous, were either removed or given a very hard pruning.
Pine Tree Caterpillars fortunately made their appearance only in very small numbers on the Island and in Kowloon; one plantation adjoining Fan Ling Golf Course was badly infested with these pests and as soon as they could be detected all were collected and destroyed, the total weight of those dealt with being 4,667 lbs.
Loranthus and creepers were regularly removed from trees on roadsides and in plantations.
Camphor trees, a large percentage of which are regularly attacked by White Ants during the dry season, were treated with Carbolineum.
The Forest Guards made numerous arrests of persons felling or doing damage to growing trees and destroying wild flowers.
Cases of persons collecting Pine needles from plantations were very numerous and the offenders, who do considerable and lasting damage, are not easily deterred by the comparatively light fines which are inflicted.
Protection from Fire.-During the year 20 miles of fire-barriers were cleared in the New Territories, Southern District, 17 miles in Hongkong and 24 miles at Fan Ling; these barriers on many occasions proved most useful in checking large fires until they could be beaten out.
Five fires broke out in plantations during the first quarter, 13 in the second, 1 in the third and 32 in the fourth, making a total of 51 compared with 67 in the previous year.
No trace could be found in any case of the origin of the fires and it can only be supposed that the majority were due to people dropping lighted matches or tobacco and by the careless use of sacrificial paper and fire-crackers by grave-worshippers.