CO129-328 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [1-6] — Page 385

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$18,000 in round figures was derived from the sale of

felled timber during the year under the system referred to.

3.

The scheme of issuing forestry

licences in the New Territories was initiated in the hope

of inducing the Chinese to adopt more economical methods

in dealing with the considerable plantations of pine trees

which they formed before the cession of the Territories on

C

hill-sides which have since been adjudged to be Crown Land, L.

and with the object of tempting them to take up fresh

areas of waste lands for further planting.

It is too early to express an

opinion on what success has been achieved.

4.

The low lying land in the New

Territories is probably utilised to nearly the fullest

extent possible for agriculture. It is therefore from the

profitable cultivation of the steep hill-slopes that any

increase in the productiveness of the territories must be

derived. In this connection the experiments with Sisal

Hemp are of much interest and will be carefully watched.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

Mhathen.

Governor, &00...