J 10
Considered with the vote for the whole of the Colony, which was only recently approved. At the same time Government decided that there were to be no loans, only cash grants. When all has been paid out the sum of $5,035.50 will have been divided among 306 families, of 1,367 persons, the largest family being 40 strong, and the smallest 1: the largest grant $100, and the smallest $2.
To assist the people to repair their bunds, paths and other communal works, the Government contributed $2,000, and approved the grant of free permits for sand, stone, and earth, the equivalent of about $600 revenue. Not all the repairs are yet completed.
The gentry of Tai Po contributed $265 for burial expenses of the victims at Tai Po.
The Botanical and Forestry Department did their best to collect all wild wood, the property of the Government, blown down, but permission was in many cases given to villages to clear away fallen wood and use it for their own consumption, and much was inevitably stolen. This unfortunately led to a habit of wood-stealing, encouraged later in the year by high prices following the interruption of the supply from Kwangsi and Kwangtung.
MINING.
10. The output of iron and of wolfram from The New Territories Mining Company's mine at Ma On Shan was greater than in 1936.
Great progress was made by Hong Kong Mines, Limited, with their mine at Lin Ma Hang, where many buildings have been put up, and modern machinery installed. Fourteen Europeans and a Chinese doctor are permanently employed there, together with nine Indian watchmen (Government men) and about 450 Chinese skilled and unskilled workers. Many of these are Shantung men, and there is a sprinkling of workmen from Kwangsi. The miners suffered severely from malaria, which caused some deaths. There were some Police Court cases of larceny or assault, and a few small disputes over wages.
The Company started to improve the surface of the Frontier Road between San Uk Ling, where it diverges to the new bridge over the frontier, and the Mine.
11. The Governor in Council made Regulations for the protection of the health of labourers employed in the New Territories, by which what are commonly called "coolie lines" are brought under the control of the Director of Medical Services.