AnnualReport-1924 — Page 487

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Serious damage was done to Pine plantations adjoining Ma Yau Tong and Sai Tso Wan and an enquiry was held under Ordinance No. 6 of 1917 at both villages; as a result a fine of $400 on the former and $200 on the latter was imposed by His Excellency the Governor in Council.

Sums totalling $455 were obtained from building con- tractors for damage done to plantations and rockeries.

For extensive felling without permit in the vicinity of Kowloon catchwater the Departmental timber contractor was made to undertake pit digging and seed-sowing on the damaged area and to pay for the work done, the cost of which amounted to $500.

Prior to Chinese New Year a close watch was kept on all launches and trains coming from the New Territories for persons in possession of Enkianthus quinqueflorus; large amounts were seized by the Forest Guards but great difficulty was experienced in finding the owners and comparatively

and comparatively few persons were arrested and convicted.

Night patrols carried out by the Supervisor and Forest Guards were successful and resulted in the capture and conviction of a large number of the more persistent timber thieves.

numerous

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Forestry Service Paths:-Since the formation of the

motor roads which give easy access

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to bathing beaches etc. these paths have been very little used by the general public. All those requiring such treatment were cleared and resurfaced during the year.

Forestry Licences, New Territories:-Fees collected during the year amounted to $3,365.31 as compared with $4,711.11 during 1923.

NURSERIES, AGRICULTURE ETC.

Kowloon Tsai Nurseries:-These nurseries which were hurriedly formed during the latter part of 1922 and early in 1923 owing to the Beacon Hill Nursery area being required for a town planning scheme have at last been put into good order, a small dam has been made above the nurseries and a pipe line laid and so far an adequate supply of water has been obtained.

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Six thousand young Camphors were raised and planted out and large stock, of "Jak" (Artocarpus integrifolia), and Water Pine (Glyptostrobsus heterophyllus) now in the beds are available for planting at any time.

The young trees of China Fir (Cunninghamia sinensis) raised from cuttings are making good progress.