J 3
19. Thirty-two new licences for forestry areas were issued during the year as against one in 1930. This is an encouraging sign of the realisation by the villagers of the economic, if not aesthetic, value of pine plantations. The total area under forestry licences at the end of 1931 was 40,355.80 acres as against 33,544.00 acres at the end of 1930.
20. There were 230 licences to cultivate pineapple plants current at the end of the year as against 156 current at the end of 1930. A new impetus has been given to this form of agriculture in the district by the arrival of the ex-Shing Mun villagers and the high price obtained for this fruit during the season; an average of $5 per picul being obtained.
GENERAL.
21. Rainfall is one of the most important considerations for an agricultural community, and fortunately in the year 1931 the district had the largest total fall for the last six years, which in addition fell most regularly and at the most propitious times for the crops.
As a result both rice crops were excellent, and the ensuing prosperity was illustrated by the unusually prompt payment of Crown Rent.
22. Rain also brought disaster: a cloud-burst on the 20th April, 1931, among other devastation to roads, bridges and irrigation dams over a large area, washed out a section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway at Ma Niu Shui and caused the wreck of a passenger train with the loss of eleven lives.
23. The year was not too good for the fisheries industry in Tolo Harbour and Mirs Bay because of a persistent strong easterly wind during the Autumn, which prevented most of the boats from putting far out to the open sea.
24. The electric light supply reached Tai Po Market at last at the end of November; most of the town is consuming the supply and it is proving a great boon to the district. In 1932 the supply will be taken out to the Fan Ling, Un Long and Castle Peak Districts.
25. The year 1931 saw also the laying of the long distance telephone cable to Canton through the district and there are now sub-exchanges for branch lines to subscribers at Tai Po and Fan Ling.
26. The payments of compensation to the ex-Shing Mun villagers were completed towards the end of the year. This troublesome transplanting has thus now been finally accomplished, and the villagers are settled down comfortably in their new homes.
Page 270
Page 271
J 3
19. Thirty-two new licences for forestry areas were issued during the year as against one in 1930. This is an encouraging sign of the realisation by the villagers of the economic, if not aesthetic, value of pine plantations. The total area under forestry licences at the end of 1931 was 40,355.80 acres as against 33,544.00 acres at the end of 1930.
20. There were 230 licences to cultivate pineapple plants current at the end of the year as against 156 current at the end of 1930. A new impetus has been given to this form of agriculture in the district by the arrival of the ex-Shing Mun villagers and the high price obtained for this fruit during the season; an average of $5 per picul being obtained.
GENERAL.
21. Rainfall is one of the most important considerations for an agricultural community, and fortunately in the year 1931 the district had the largest total fall for the last six years, which in addition fell most regularly and at the most propitious times for the crops.
As a result both rice crops were excellent. and the ensuing prosperity was illustrated by the unusually prompt payment of Crown Rent.
22. Rain also brought disaster: a cloud-burst on the 20th April, 1931, among other devastation to roads, bridges and irrigation dams over a large area, washed out a section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway at Ma Niu Shui and caused the wreck of a passenger train with the loss of eleven lives.
23. The year was not too good for the fisheries industry in Tolo Harbour and Mirs Bay because of a a persistent strong easterly wind during the Autumn, which prevented most of the boats from putting far out to the open sea.
24. The electric light supply reached Tai Po Market at last at the end of November; most of the town is consurning the supply and it is proving a great boon to the district. In 1932 the supply will be taken out to the Fan Ling, Un Long and Castle Peak Districts.
25. The year 1931 saw also the laying of the long distance telephone cable to Canton through the district and there are now sub-exchanges for branch lines to subscribers at Tai Po and Fan Ling.
26. The payments of compensation to the ex-Shing Mun villagers were completed towards the end of the year. This troublesome transplanting has thus now been finally accomplish- ed, and the villagers are settled down comfortably in their new homes.
Page 270Page 271
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.