CO129-568-6 Botanical and Forestry Department- proposed expansion and reorganisation 4-10-1938 - 14-7-1939 — Page 22

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paper. (b) Recommends that an experienced Forest Officer from Malaya should be obtained, to advise on the economic possibilities of forestry in Hong Kong. It is suggested that the information contained in this paper will assist in coming to a decision on this point.

Section III.- Deals with measures suggested by the Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Department in his memorandum sent under cover of Governor's despatch No.744

of 4th October, 1938.

The position at this point is, therefore, that with the necessary data and a Report from a Malayan

Forest Officer, sufficient information should be available

to obtain a clear view of the economic possibilities of

forestry in Hong Kong.

Statement re Forestry in Hong Kong.

It is thought that a general statement re Forestry in

Hong Kong is necessay at this stage to provide a clear

view of local activities of this nature. This statement

is given under the following heads (a) Aims of Local Afforestation (b) Results Achieved (c) Difficulties

Encountered (d) Future Development

Development - Probable.

Possible (e) Future

(a) Aims of Local Afforestation

These may be stated as

follows:-

Crown Land.

(i) To provide a forest covering to the hilly

country.

(ii) To prevent further erosion of the numerous

slopes.

(iii)To assist in the conservation of rainfall,

moisture, etc. with its resultant effects on

the Colony's water supply and on its Agriculture. (iv) To build up timber reserves on Crown Land.

Leased Forest Lots.

To interest the local population in the production