17. Summary of Forest Offences (Standard Form V). In connection with this section, it has been found necessary to modify the standard form and to retain departmental Table I for purposes of record. The monthly totals of arrests (departmental and police) revealed a sharp decline in number in February with a gradual reduction until September in which month the lowest figure (59) was recorded. This figure was doubled in October and November, while the figure for December rose to 351. The large increase in figures for December was entirely due to two factors (i) interference with the firewood supplies and (ii) the large influx of refugees. Both of these were directly attributable to the Japanese occupation of South China at this period. Cases for the year were departmental 906, police 1540—Total 2446. This shows a decline of 689 over the previous year. In view of the more difficult conditions prevailing the reduction in cases is very satisfactory. In this connection, it is considered that the re-arrangement of the forest protection Staff from June onwards fully justified itself by the much greater control it was possible to exercise over the Crown forest areas generally.
18. Progress in Afforestation (Standard Form VI)—Additional afforestation to the extent of 238 acres was carried out during the year. Of this 127 acres was on Hong Kong Island and 110 acres on the mainland. Local afforestation methods consist of (i) sowing in situ necessitating the digging of pits and (2) broadcasting of seed. Both methods are necessary in dealing with the types of area found in the Colony. The total number of pits for in situ sowing was 261,834. The amount of seed used in all operations was 3748 lbs. Costs per acre worked out at H.K. $10/70—13s./4d. at par. It should be stated that results from the pine seed (Pinus Massoniana Lamb.) used for afforestation purposes have been found much more satisfactory when sown direct into the area. Nursery methods have been tried out but have been discarded in favour of present methods. Broad-leaved trees however, have to be dealt with in normal nursery fashion. To date these, for the greater part, have been used only for roadside planting.
19. Areas dealt with were not extensive in themselves the total being made up of numerous areas the largest in situ sections of which were (1) Hong Kong—addition to Tsat Tse Mui area 47 acres; to Taikoo Valley area 46 acres; and (ii) Mainland Beacon Hill 17 acres; Tai Po Road (Plantation 9A) 17 acres; Tai Po Kau 16 acres.
Broadcast areas consisted for the greater part of burnt sections, the slopes on the sides of new roads and bare areas.
20. Germination was a little variable but much better results were obtained from broadcasts than from pit sowings. This proved to be the case also, in some experiments laid down in the experimental station. However, a few of the broadcasts were poor also and the subject generally is receiving further attention. The whole germination was very good and results for the year very satisfactory.
21. Outturn of Fuel The outturn from the forest areas was made up for the greater part of dead and damaged timber, being the results of typhoon and insect attacks, and of a small quantity of removals from building sites, etc. extracted as logs and transported by lorry to the Stores Department to build up a supply for issue to government departments. This assured supplies for Government and removed a fairly large consumer from the local firewood market. The total timber removed in log form was 2027.59 tons (avoirdupois). This system of measurement was introduced in the latter part of 1937 when the scheme was first put into operation. For firewood purposes it is satisfactory so far as the logs are concerned but is less so where branches and brushwood are concerned. In view of the size of outturn and the fact that it concerns firewood only there is no reason to adopt Standard Form VII.
22. Imports and Exports of Timber, etc. (Standard Form X)—Reference to this form shows that imports are large and timber for all purposes is derived entirely from other countries. Exports shown are in fact re-exports. Reference to the imports percentage column indicates that the only British Colony which has a reasonably high percentage of local trade is British North Borneo. Under "Firewood" it is interesting to note that importations from South China amounted
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17. Summary of Forest Offences (Standard Form V). In connection with this section, it has been found necessary to modify the standard form and to retain departmental Table I for purposes of record. The monthly totals of arrests (depart- mental and police) revealed a sharp decline in number in February with a gradual reduction until September in which month the lowest figure (59) was recorded. This figure was doubled in October and November, while the figure for December rose to 351. The large increase in figures for December was entirely due to two factors (i) interference with the firewood supplies and (ii) the large influx of refugees. Both of these were directly attributable to the Japanese occupation of South China at this period. Cases for the year were departmental 906, police 1540-Total 2446. This shows a decline of 689 over the previous year. In view of the more difficult conditions prevailing the reduction in cases is very satisfactory. In this connection, it is considered that the re-arrangement of the forest protection Staff from June onwards fully justified itself by the much greater control it was possible to exercise over the Crown forest areas generally.
18. Progress in Afforestation (Standard Form VI)-Additional afforestation to the extent of 238 acres was carried out during the year. Of this 127 acres was on Hong Kong Island and 110 acres on the mainland. Local afforestation methods consist of (i) sowing in situ necessitating the digging of pits and (2) broad- casting of seed. Both methods are necessary in dealing with the types of area found in the Colony. The total number of pits for in situ sowing was 261,834. The amount of seed used in all operations was 3748 lbs. Costs per acre worked out at H.K. $10/70-13s./44d. at par. It should be stated that results from the pine seed (Pinus Massoniana Lamb.) used for afforestation purposes has been found much more satisfactory when sown direct into the area. Nursery methods have been tried out but have been discarded in favour of present methods. Broad-leaved trees however, have to be dealt with in normal nursery fashion. To date these, for the greater part, have been used only for roadside planting.
19. Areas dealt with were not extensive in themselves the total being made up of numerous areas the largest in situ sections of which were (1) Hong Kong- addition to Tsat Tse Mui area 47 acres; to Taikoo Valley area 46 acres; and (ii) Mainland Beacon Hill 17 acres; Taipo Road (Plantation 9A) 17 acres; Tai Po Kau 16 acres.
Broadcast areas consisted for the greater part of burnt sections, the slopes on the sides of new roads and bare areas.
20. Germination was a little variable but much better results were obtained from broadcasts than from pit sowings. This proved to be the case also, in some experiments laid down in the experimental station. However, a few of the broad- casts were poor also and the subject generally is receiving further attention. the whole germination was very good and results for the year very satisfactory.
21.
On
It was
Outturn of Fuel The outturn from the forest areas was made up for the greater part of dead and damaged timber, being the results of typhoon and insect attacks, and of a small quantity of removals from building sites, etc. extracted as logs and transported by lorry to the Stores Department to build up a supply for issue to government departments. This assured supplies for Govern- ment and removed a fairly large consumer from the local firewood market. The total timber removed in log form was 2027.59 tons (avoirdupois). This system of measurement was introduced in the latter part of 1937 when the scheme was first put into operation. For firewood purposes it is satisfactory so far as the logs are concerned but is less so where branches and brushwood are concerned. In view of the size of outturn and the fact that it concerns firewood only there is no reason to adopt Standard Form VII.
22. Imports and Exports of Timber, etc. (Standard Form X)-Reference to this form shows that imports are large and timber for all purposes is derived entirely from other countries. Exports shown are in fact re-exports. Reference to the imports percentage column indicates that the only British Colony which has reasonably high percentage of local trade is British North Borneo. Under "Firewood" it is interesting to note that importations from South China amounted
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