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during 1939 after successful trials. The tonnage of merchant ships dry docked for overhauls and repairs, including one vessel which was lengthened amidships by over 100 feet, reach a total of 1,636,994 gross tons. Additionally 183,490 displacement tons of Naval ships were dry docked by the firms mentioned.
The anticipated expansion of the output of new Diesel Engines has eventuated. The largest Diesel engine yet produced in Hong Kong, of 2420 B.H.P., was completed during 1939, and Diesel engines aggregating 4950 B.H.P., were under construction at the end of the year, in addition to 4700 I.H.P. of steam engines.
A number of small craft, including lighters, motor boats and yachts have been constructed in the native yards, but accurate statistics are not available. There are also many native yards with a considerable output of junks and sampans for the use of the shipping community.
Roughly 20% of the labour employed in the Colony's dockyards is on the monthly wage system and is directly recruited by the dock companies. The remainder is employed under the contract system by which work is hired out at standard rates to contractors who pay and are responsible for their own employees. Workers in each section of the industry are banded together into guilds. These are at present of the nature of friendly societies, but it is possible that they may develop into more orthodox trades unions in the future.
[Notes on the equipment and general facilities of the three main yards will be found in Chapter VI. of the 1938 Report.]
Mining.
[Please see Chapter VI. of the 1938 Report.]
Forestry.
[Please see also Chapter VI. of the 1938 Report.]
During 1939 forestry offences were very numerous and considerable difficulty was experienced in the protection of forest areas generally. The position created by the events in China was further aggravated by the European situation and resulted in further curtailment of imports of firewood from overseas sources. The reaction on local forest areas was of a serious character and much difficulty was experienced in maintaining control of the situation.
The opening up of land on Hong Kong island and on the mainland for various purposes connected with general development, defence works, etc., makes the task of protecting the wooded areas a very onerous one. The measures for control, put into operation the previous year, appear to constitute the best solution of a problem which is at all times somewhat acute. The necessity for a re-orientation of ideas in respect to forestry areas to bring them into line with the demands of development is apparent and steps are being taken to deal with this aspect of the matter.
(a) Crown Land.
Estimated Areas Under Forest.
Hong Kong Island—about 18 square miles. New Territories—about 4 square miles.
(b) Native Holdings (Leased Forest Lots).
Hong Kong Island—nil.
New Territories—approximately 81 square miles.