Appendix N.
HONG KONG.
REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1935.
GENERAL.
The weather during the first three quarters of the year was generally favourable for both gardening and forestry operations; during the fourth quarter winter season planting was much delayed by rain, which destroyed large numbers of seedlings.
2. The rainfall for the year, as recorded by the gauge in the New Garden, was 76.84 inches in 148 days as against 93.39 inches in 132 days in the preceding year.
3. Typhoon signals were hoisted on four occasions during the year; fortunately no damage was done to gardens or roadside trees by either of the gales which approached the Colony.
GARDENS, PARKS AND GROUNDS.
4. Botanic Gardens.--On May 6th and 7th the occasion of the Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of His late Majesty King George V the Old Garden was illuminated under the direction of the Silver Jubilee Committee and was kept open to the public until 11 p.m. Large numbers of people entered the garden on both days and made good use of the slopes above Upper Albert Road from which a good view of both night and day processions could be obtained. This was the only occasion during the history of the Botanic Gardens, on which hawkers were allowed to enter and many took advantage of the opportunity. No damage was done to trees, shrubs or turf on either day.
5. A very old tree of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Sm. below the Aviary, which had been stripped of almost the whole of its smaller branches by gales, was felled; six feet of the main trunk were left and covered by plants of the Spider Orchid, Renanthera coccinea, Lour.
6. The total number of trees, shrubs and pot plants sold during the year was 1,684.
7. Colonial Cemetery.--Five of the old burial terraces were levelled, returfed and reconditioned generally. A number of large trees were removed from various burial areas in order to prevent damage to monuments and headstones.