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11. The rainfall at Tai Po was 94.36 inches, as against 70.07 inches in 1933, distributed as well as might be expected in these latitudes. There were no very severe rain-storms and in consequence calls on the Local Public Works vote (v. Table X) for assistance in repairing storm damage to local dams, bridges and bridle paths were below normal, and a considerable saving was effected in this vote. Both padi crops also appeared excellent, though locally, with the understatement habitual in farmers, the first crop was stated to be 'fair' and the second to be a '50 or 60% crop' owing to an unexpected North wind having done damage before all was got in.
12. The acreage under pineapple in 1934 was 157.08 acres as compared with 141.23 acres in 1933. More and more hillside land seems to be in course of preparation for this form of cultivation, which is probably the only form from which hillside soil is likely to give any profitable return. The crops of pineapple were plentiful in 1934, though the fruit is not of a very high quality. It was said that the market demand for the fruit was weak, but this does not seem to have discouraged still further development in this line.
13. Mining enterprise had a recrudescence and it became profitable to work the few scanty deposits of wolfram ore in the district because of the monopoly established in China, which is said to be the chief source of the world's supply, in this commodity so useful in modern metal industries. Much work in this connection fell on the Land Department of the District Office and the local Police because of the disregard by some of the mining licensees of the conditions of their licence and consequent disputes with local villagers over the pollution of water courses and drinking water, cutting of trees, and damage to crops. There was also a good deal of illicit mining going on by 'privateers' in remote places, which occasioned the Police and District Office staff some anxiety to keep in check, as these 'privateers' were disposed to resist if surrounded. In the case of one mine there were two murders arising, it is suspected, out of a quarrel over the proceeds.
14. The fishing industry was again reported bad, though this is hard to understand, for more and more fishing junks are making Tai Po their headquarters and new fish lans have been opened in Tai Po Market. It might seem that increased competition was being mistaken for 'depression' in this industry, and traditional fears of possible increased taxation do not encourage any confession of even moderate prosperity.
15. The production of vegetables as a form of 'dry' cultivation on the less irrigated land, and as a catch crop between padi crops on land mainly devoted to 'wet' cultivation, grows apace and more and more vegetables are being sent into the Hong Kong
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11. The rainfall at Tai Po was 94.36 inches, as against 70.07 inches in 1933, distributed as well as might be expected in these latitudes. There were no very severe rain-storms and in consequence calls on the Local Public Works vote (v. Table X) for assistance in repairing storm damage to local dams, bridges and bridle paths were below normal, and a considerable saving was effected in this vote. Both padi crops also appeared ex- cellent, though locally, with the understatement habitual in farmers, the first crop was stated to be 'fair' and the second to be a '50 or 60% crop' owing to an unexpected North wind having done damage before all was got in.
12. The acreage under pineapple in 1934 was 157.08 acres as compared with 141.23 acres in 1933. More and more hillside land seems to be in course of preparation for this form of cul- tivation, which is probably the only form from which hillside soil is likely to give any profitable return. The crops of pine- apple were plentiful in 1934, though the fruit is not of a very high quality. It was said that the market demand for the fruit was weak, but this does not seem to have discouraged still further development in this line.
13. Mining enterprise had a recrudescence and it became profitable to work the few scanty deposits of wolfram ore in the district because of the monopoly established in China, which is said to be the chief source of the world's supply, in this commodity so useful in modern metal industries. Much work in this connection fell on the Land Department of the District Office and the local Police because of the disregard by some of the mining licensees of the conditions of their licence and con- sequent disputes with local villagers over the pollution of water courses and drinking water, cutting of trees, and damage to crops. There was also a good deal of illicit mining going on by 'privateers' in remote places, which occasioned the Police and District Office staff some anxiety to keep in check, as these 'privateers' were disposed to resist if surrounded. In the case. of one mine there were two murders arising, it is suspected, out of a quarrel over the proceeds.
14. The fishing industry was again reported bad, though this is hard to understand, for more and more fishing junks are making Tai Po their head-quarters and new fish lans have been opened in Tai Po Market. It might seem that increased competition was being mistaken for 'depression' in this industry, and traditional fears of possible increased taxation do not encourage any con- fession of even moderate prosperity.
15. The production of vegetables as a form of 'dry' cultiva- tion on the less irrigated land, and as a catch crop between padi crops on land mainly devoted to 'wet' cultivation, grows apace and more and more vegetables are being sent into the Hong Kong
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