CO129-611-4 Development Committee- reports on various aspects 11-12-1945 - 14-7-1947 — Page 122

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5.

Organization.

(1) Field Stations.

A

The Colony, including the mainland and islands, would be divided into a number of zones in each of which would be established a field station under the supervision of a resident forest ranger. At each field station would be grown seedlings of trees suitable for transplanting in the different types of terrain that occurred in that zone. nurseryman would be in charge of the seedling nurseries. The forest ranger would be responsible for implementing in his area the policy of the department as regards afforestation, fire control, communications, forest protection (thieving) and forest conservation.

Afforestation: Instead of broadcast so wing and pit sowing as the only methods of introducing trees into an area, more modern methods would be employed. In general the policy of the department would be to transplant seedlings from the nurseries at the appropriate season (April?). This method is used with success for pines in the Baguio area P.I. and in Britain and in fact generally. Prior to and during the planting season the staff at each field station would be augmented by temporary staff. It is possible that pri son labour could be employed very effectively. The forest ranger would receive a bonus on the basis of the survival, for say two years after transplanting, of every 10,000 tree seedlings. Fire Control. The co-operation of the villages in each zone would be invited and if necessary enforced. It would be the dual responsibility of the forest ranger and of the village headman to see that no hillside fires occurred. If a fire exceeded a certain area the village would be fined (cash or labour). If fires did not occur botn headman and ranger would be paid a bonus,

Communications. Fire tracks, paths, etc., would be made and maintained as required.

Forest Protection. Forest guards would be stationed at each field station who would patrol the area under their supervision. A very strict control would be kept of the fuel supply enter- ing each village in each zone. The villages would be liable to a fine if wood was found in their villages that could not be accounted for. The villagers would have coppicing permits in certain clearly defined areas.

Forest Conservation. The forest ranger would be responsible for implementing in his zone the policy determined by his department.

(2)

Tai Po Kau Headquarters.

Offices

A

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Library a small library of standard books and current journals,would be maintained. (not a single forestry journal to my knowledge was subscribed for by the B. & F. Dept.)

Herbarium: a small herbarium chiefly of woody plants of forestry interest would be maintained.

Lecture room a room suitable for lectures to classes of 20 or 30 students would be included.

Bamboo Nurseries