AnnualReport-1923 — Page 452

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In various positions on Cheung Chau Island 1,000 Camphor Trees, 115 Eucalyptus tereticornis, 60 Crataeva religiosa, 50 Ery- thrina indica, 52 Callistemon rigidus, 95 Casuarina equisetifolia, 180 Tristania conferta, 160 Ficus infectoria and 80 Ficus retusa were planted, some of which were to replace failures.

Trees Removed :-In connection with the general improve- ment and widening of roads, the sale of building lots, excavations for reclamations and various public works, large numbers of trees, both large and small and of various kinds were felled; those which were cut down near public roads were mainly Banians. About 500 pine trees were cut down for the laying-out of an exten- sion to the Tai Shek Kwo Cemetery, Kowloon. Trees which were removed after destruction by typhoous will be replaced as much as possible within the next few years.

Undergrowth Clearing :-The usual removal of undergrowth as part of the campaiga against malaria was conducted throughout the year, the total area cleared amounting to over 6,500,000 square feet. In addition over 2,400,000 square feet of undergrowth were cleared for the Public Works Department for survey purposes, and in connection with the laying-out of new building sites, the formation of new roads and other public improvements.

Care of trees in Plantations:-Loranthus and creepers were removed from trees on roadsides and in plantations as far as possible whenever they are observed. Pine tree caterpillars fortunately appeared only in small numbers in one plantation near Fanling. They were immediately collected and destroyed.

Protection from fire:-Fire barriers made in previous years were all inspected and recleared before the beginning of the dry season; 194 miles were cleared in the New Territories, Southern District, 5 miles at Fanling, and 181⁄2 miles on Hongkong Island,

There were 79 fires during the year as compared with 51 last year. Of these 34 were in the first quarter, 38 in the second, 1 in the third and 6 in the fourth. The most serious fire was one at Mount Kellet on the 1st day of February which lasted nearly 24 hours and destroyed over 4,000 pine trees and about the same number of other trees. In a plantation on Diamond Hill, Kow- loon, over 1,000 young pine trees perished in another fire.

On the Tsing Ming Festival day, April 6th, only 11 small fires broke out in plantations where graves exist. These were speedily extinguished. On October 18th, the Chung Yeung Festival, no fires occurred. On both occasions the assistance of 10 District Watchmen was kindly lent to this Department through the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.

The thanks of the Department are due to Police officers at outlying stations for the prompt manner in which fires were re- ported, and for the despatching of coolies to deal with the fires under their supervision pending the arrival of forest officers.