CO129-568-6 Botanical and Forestry Department- proposed expansion and reorganisation 4-10-1938 - 14-7-1939 — Page 23

3.

of trees for fuel purposes and at the same time to obtain, as far as possible, the results enumera ted

under the paragraph above.

(b) Results Achieved - Hong Kong Island has been afforest-

ed to the extent of about 18 square miles. The main- land has been properly afforested in certain places to the extent of about 4 square miles. This total of 22 square miles represents the work of the Botanical and Forestry Department. The "leased forest lot" system accounts for some 81 1 square

3 miles, resulting in a sparse covering of pines, the latter, for the greater part, being of a poor and stunted nature, due to the treatment accorded them namely, the removal of branches at certain times of the year for fuel purposes.

The following figures given some idea of production from both types of area (i.e. Crown and Leased Forest Lot) and provide a basis for comparison:-

Area under Crown Forest

about 22

#

11 leased forest lots

square miles.

about 814

square miles.

Percentages of Colony area under forest activities.

Crown Land

5.64%

Leased Forest Lots 20.85%

Total percentage 26.49%

Production for 1938.

Crown Forests outturn 2027.59 tons (avoirdupois)- This consisted of timber (logs) for fuel purposes which, at current wholesale prices for the year, is valued at $35,000. It consisted of typhoon-damaged, insect-infested and dead trees and was obtained in

cleaning" some 4 square miles of the Crown

plantations.