CO129-584-4 Botanical and Forestry Department- comments on annual report 1939 13-12-1940 - 29-4-1941 — Page 2

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13.12.40

This report is most interesting in showing the effects of the general political position in the Far East on Hong Kong's forestry problem. It will be seen that the outbreak of war in Europe was followed by an increase in the number of arrests for forestry offences. This was largely due to an abnormal rise in the price of firewood brought about by a rumoured shortage of marketing supplies leading to increased activity

on the part of illicit tree-cutters. Another aspect of the same problem is seen in the position as regards imports of timber. Hong Kong is dependent on outside sources for the greater part of its timber supply, and we know from private correspondence that Dr. Herklots was recently sent to Borneo to enquire into the possibilities of increasing imports from North Borneo and Sarawak (without at the same time increasing prices Dr. Tempany to see report.

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This is an interesting report.

It follows the

form current in previous years and has not been abridged. In war time there does not seem to be any particular point in printing the various tables and appendices showing the work of the forest proaction service and comparative statements of revenue and expenditure. How ver, apart from this criticism it seems clear that Mr Flippance has now got well into the saddle in Hong Kong and with the restrictions imposed by limitation of staff the Department is doing excellent work.

Further progress has been made with reaffores- tation. It seems quite clear that the old system of forest lot planting leaves a great deal to be desired and one can agree with para. 14 that it is time that the scheme was replaced by some thing of a more satis- factory nature.

As the result of the war the question of timber and fuel supplies in the Colony is assuming consider- able urgency.

What the solution is likely to be it is hard to say, but one can unreservedly concur in the view that in the interests of the future welfare of the Colony the Department is right in redoubling its prodection work with a view to repressing, sofar as possible, depredations of plantations resulting from the acute fuel shortage.

The Agricultural section is a fuller than in previous years and it is very satisfactory to notice that in spite of, or perhaps because of, war time conditions consderably increased attention has continuod to be devoted to agricultural reconnaissances.

In the new territories in particular Hong Kong possesses a small but nevertheless valuable agricul- tural area and it is most important to see that the available land is used to the best advantage.

I agree that one of the needs is methods of utilising to the best advantage as much of the sloping

land