CO129-617-6 Development- recommendations of Hong Kong Colonial Development and Welfare Committee 18-7-1947 - 23-12-1947 — Page 17

4.

16

Agricultied Stalin (Kam Tv.)

Plant Introduction -Exchang

Station

Tipegaphical

+ Lunel Utilisation cir

(Mineral sway

In separat. Research

Grant "Herbert)

- Lee

Holphins of

Trum

Market

the organisation's operations. The construction of permanent markets has already been accepted as a responsibility of this Government. The other principal capital expense is the cost of the transport fleet of 30 lorries which is used to bring the vegetables to market. It is proposed that replacements to this fleet and maintenance costs should be borne from the revenue of the organisation; but to free the scheme from initial debt it is suggested that the initial cost of purchase of the 30 lorries should be charged to the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund • The sum of £18,750 has been allowed for this purpose.

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11.

Recommendation No. 7.

This proposal deals with what I hope will be one of the major contributions to the modernisation of agricultural methods in the New Territories and consequential increase in prosperity of the farmers. The Agricultural Department aims to remedy the damage caused by neglect during the Japanese occupation and the general lack of modernity in agricultural methods employed in the Colony. Some steps to this end have already been taken. A small station for experimentation for the improvement of vegetable and fruit crops has been established at Sheung Shui and a pig breeding farm is now in operation in the same district. Much more ambitious plans however, are in project involving the utilisation of 277 acres of land at Kam Tin. This site was formerly a small aerodrome but has now become available for use as an experimental station on a large scale. Apart from the initial capital cost of construction there will be minor maintenance costs to bear during subsequent

years.

As regards paragraphs 20 and 21 of the report the question of applying for a grant from the Central Research Fund for the purpose of a plant introduction station is still under consideration. The amount required for this project would be £30,000

12.

•

(ii)

Recommendation No. 8.

I consider that the proposed surveys of topography, land utilisation and "minerals are a prerequisite of adequate planned development of the Colony's natural resources. It would appear that such surveys, being a natural prelude to development would most appropriately be a charge on the funds of the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, and I have so allocated them. Nevertheless on account of their fundamental importance I have it under consideration to include provision for these surveys in the Colony's estimates for next year if their inclusion in the development plan be not approved. The expenditure is spread over the three years 1948-1950 and is estimated to cover the salaries of the staff required and the equipment necessary for the carrying out of the surveys. No further expenditure from the Colony's resources should be required for this purpose either during the years 1948-50 or in subsequent years. This sum of £20,000 should be regarded in the light of an overhead expense of the whole development plan.

13.

Recommendation No. 9.

The improvement of landing facilities at the Kennedy Town Market is a plan which calls for little comment from me. The present facilities for landing fish from tenders are inadequate. An improvement can be effected by the construction along the front of four dolphins or landing piers

at