N 5
Twenty-five of the fires occurred on the days of the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals, eleven of this number commenced in cemeteries and were due to careless handling of fire-crackers or sacrificial papers.
During the driest seasons of the year a continuous watch was maintained for plantation and grass fires, a senior forester was on duty at the office telephones on all holidays and Sundays, and by this means a lorry and foresters could be sent out to the scene of the fires within a few minutes of a telephone report being received.
Mount Collinson Prohibited Area. The prohibition of entry to this area in order to prevent damage to the trees contained in it has so far been successful and has undoubtedly saved large numbers of trees from being destroyed by theft and fire; there were no prosecutions in respect of unauthorised persons entering the area and the only damage during the whole year was a very small amount of grass-cutting and one case of petty damage to the iron notices.
Forest Guards Service. The total number of persons arrested and charged with forestry offences during the year was 281 as against 355 in the preceding year; of these 248 were fined or imprisoned, 25 cautioned, 6 were discharged and 2 bound over.
Full particulars of these cases are given in Tables I and II.
Seven persons who were convicted of a second and in some cases of a third or fourth forestry offence were banished during the year; during 1927 fifteen persons were banished for similar offences. The absence of these persons from the Colony has undoubtedly had the effect of preserving many valuable trees which were constantly being felled and sold as firewood.
Two contractors paid compensation for damage to trees in plantations: the first, the sum of $50 in respect of damage caused by unauthorised removal of earth; the second, $100 in respect of damage caused by careless removal of boulders.
The notices which are posted in all parts of the Colony prior to the Chinese New Year appear to be bringing about the desired effect of lessening the heavy damage to the Chinese New Year Flower (Enkianthus quinqueflorus). Damage to this beautiful flowering shrub was much less than during the past several years.
Forest Service Paths. The extension of the path, which will eventually give access to all parts of Taipo Forestry Reserve, was in progress at the end of the year; all old paths were given such attention as they required.
Forestry Licences, New Territories. Fees collected during the year amounted to $3,734.92 as against $4,099.70 in 1927.
N 5
Twenty-five of the fires occurred on the days of the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals, eleven of this number com- menced in cemeteries and were due to careless handling of fire- crackers or sacrificial papers.
During the driest seasons of the year a continuous watch was maintained for plantation and grass fires, a senior forester was on duty at the office telephones on all holidays and Sundays, and by this means a lorry and foresters could be sent out to the scene of the fires within a few minutes of a telephone report being received.
Mount Collinson Prohibited Area. The prohibition of entry to this area in order to prevent damage to the trees contained in it has so far been successful and has undoubtedly saved large numbers of trees from being destroyed by theft and fire, there were no prosecutions in respect of unauthorised persons entering the area and the only damage during the whole year was very small amount of grass-cutting and one case of petty damage to the iron notices.
Forest Guards Service.-The total number of persons arrested and charged with forestry offences during the year was 281 as against 355 in the preceding year, of these 248 were fined or imprisoned, 25 cautioned, 6 were discharged and 2 bound
over.
Full particulars of these cases are given in Tables I and II.
Seven persons who were convicted of a second and in some cases of a third or fourth forestry offence were banished during the year, during 1927 fifteen persons were banished for similar offences, the absence of these persons from the Colony has undoubtedly had the effect of preserving many valuable trees which were constantly being felled and sold as firewood.
Two contractors paid compensation for damage to trees in plantations, the first the sum of $50 in respect of damage caused by unauthorised removal of earth, the second $100 in respect of damage caused by careless removal of boulders.
The notices which are posted in all parts of the Colony prior to the Chinese New Year appear to be bringing about the desired effect of lessening the heavy damage to the Chinese New Year Flower (Enkianthus quinqueflorus), damage to this beauti- ful flowering shrub was much less than during the past several years.
Forest Service Paths.-The extension of the path, which will eventually give access to all parts of Taipo Forestry Reserve was in progress at the end of the year, all old paths were given such attention as they required.
Forestry Licences, New Territories.-Fees collected during the year amounted to $3,734.92 as against $4,099.70 in 1927. -
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