CO129-614-3 Visit of Sir Patrick Abercrombie to advise on town planning 4-1-1948 - 10-1-1949 — Page 68

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8. Tree-planting : this is here considered not as commercial afforestation (see Section on New Territories) but as amenity planting. The whole Colony has enormously suffered from the wartime outting down of pine woods. It is much more difficult to restore amenity planting than to preserve it when grown but efforts should be made (and there are excellent examples on certain roads) to restore this characteristic landscape feature of the Colony which no doubt had, in addition, a real value in water oonservation and prevention of soil erosion, quite distinct from economic timber growing. There are evident signs that natural regeneration is at work : this can be protected and even stimulated.

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12. The New Territories.

The New Territories are a subject for a Report in themselves and there was insufficient time to do more than pay a visit to this priceless piece of open country and coastline with its own complete economy of the life of old China. A growing and flourishing life is indicated by the report of the New Territories Committee upon the 10 year plan of Development which appears to be an admirable programme of progress and conservation. The internal economy is based upon :

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1. Farming

2. Fishing

3. Fishpond cultivation

4. Forestry

5. Mining and Quarrying

As already mentioned, these territories afford

to the urban population:

1. kural scenery

11. Village life.

iii. Rambling & Mountain Climbing

iv. Week-end visits

v. Playingfields, Golf Courses

vi. Sailing

vii. Archeology

viii. Water supply.

There are also parts that can be set aside as Nature reserves. There is a most interesting area, at present almost inaccessible, north of Plovers Cove, containing woodlands, streams and waterfalls. This should be kept in its present virgin state: but it is worth considering whether the whole catchment area of 9 or 10 square miles, of the Jubilee Reservoir on the southern slopes of Tai Mo Shan should not be earmarked as a Nature Reserve. Certain parts are being planted by the Forestry Department and at present there are no villages or people permitted to dwell in the area, The relation of this proposal to 'Tourist' development would require careful study.

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It is not felt that anything can be added to the excellent report of the New Territories sub-committee of the Colonial Development and Welfare Committee.

The possibility of a considerable increase in 'suburban development' in the New Territories, especially if the railway is electrified, must be faced. Suburban scattering and sprawl has been one of the worst features of urban growth in European countries. On the one hand great

■ There is an Interim Development Scheme for 5 years of urgent matters requiring prior consideration.