CO129-461 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [5-7] — Page 182

Copy.

Report on items in paragraph 3 of Circular Despatch of

23rd January, 1920, from the Secretary of State.

178

(1).

TIMBER SUPPLY.

Almost the whole of the timber supply of Hongkong and the New Territories is draw from outside sources, the only exceptions being a scanty supply of the native Pine (Pinus

Massoniana), and wild trees of all kinds which are cut from the

hills, the former is used for fuel only, the latter for fuel and for making handles for gardening and agricultural implements.

This traffic in timber is very local and carried on

only between inland and seaside fishing villages.

With the exception of "China Fir" (Cunninghamia sinen- sis) of which a very large quantity is imported from South China, all the imported timber for the year 1919 is given on the attached Table "A".

China Fir may be imported into Hongkong without a permit, consequently no record of the quantity so imported can be accurately made, but it is certainly not less than double

that of any of the kinds of timber shown in Table *A*.

(2).

TIMBER UTILISATION.

The greater part of allthe heavy and light timber is

used in building operations, beams and all other heavy portions of buildings being made up of Teak or Hardwoods of several

kinds, in those portions of buildings where no actual strain is

carried or great durability required, "China Fir" planks or

poles are brought into use.

The ship-building yards, of which there are a large

number, use Teak and Hardwoods in the building of ships, junks,

launches and sampans.