Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 335

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94. FERN ROCKERIES OUTSIDE THE GARDENS.-These are maintained by the vote for Afforestation. The heaviest costs are caused by artificial waterings throughout the dry months. The dense shade in Gleanealy was the cause of a number of ferns and some other plants continually dying out.

To reinedy this disadvantage of shade I have had some trees and large shrubs removed in order to admit more light. The large trees in the neighbourhood also do much evil by their roots growing up amongst the soil in which the ferns are planted, and thereby very much impoverishing it.

95. Arrangements have been made for extending the rockeries on the eastern side of the road down to St. Paul's College. The construction of the rockery will be gradually carried out, but the planting cannot be completed until plants suitable for the work can be prepared, which will take a little time. For work of this kind the preparation of the plants should be the first consideration to attend to, and the construction of the rockeries should go on and be completed to suit the time when the plants would be ready to put in their places. However, circumstances over which I had no control, but which it was advisable not to allow to slip by without using, rendered the reverse of this method necessary.

96. PROTECTIVE SERVICE.-The Forest Guards made 38 arrests for infringements of what I might call forest laws. Of this number of offenders 26 were sentenced to imprisonment, 5 were fined, 4 were required to find securities, and 3 were dismissed by the Magistrates before whom they appeared. 97. The villagers of Little Hongkong maintain their bad reputation for cutting down and damaging trees, and I fear that the mischief cannot be stopped entirely until some such measures as I recently proposed shall be put into force.

98. Five months ago I reported some extensive destruction of trees which had been going on on Mount Davis systematically for apparently about twelve months. I had information which placed my suspicions on squatters near Belcher's Bay, particularly on rice-husk burners near the telegraph house, as the perpetrators of the mischief. I personally visited these people and remonstrated with them- there was not sufficient evidence for prosecution to be instituted. This was shortly before the squatters about Belcher's Bay were ejected. Since that time the mischief which had been going on has entirely ceased.

99. Although cases of tree and shrub cutting are continually going on the individual cases are, as a rule, of a comparatively trivial nature, yet if the plantations and trees of the island are to be effectively protected it is necessary to apply sharp punishments when offenders are caught, as the difficulty of bringing home punishments to the offenders is very great.

100. Altogether there is an improvement in the results of the efforts of the protective staff, as, with the exception of the cases at Little Hongkong and Mt. Davis, general tree cutting does not occur now as it did formerly.

101. GRASS FIRES.-The advent of the dry season is always accompanied with much anxiety about the plantations. The past year has witnessed fires of unusual number and extent, which have burnt a rather large number of planted as well as naturally produced trees in addition to a very large area of grass only. The fires appear to originate in Chinese Cemeteries from burning incense sticks used in worship at the graves, and from the carelessness and thoughtlessness of pedestrians in throwing down lighted matches as they pass along the roads.

102. I would here take the opportunity of requesting those of the public who have occasion to use matches as they pass along roads or over the hills, to be good enough to extinguish the fire before matches are thrown down, as by so doing they may prevent most serious damages to trees.

103. The subject of presenting barriers to the spread of fire from roads and cemeteries, or of removing inflammable material from adjacent ground, should be taken in hand very soon. The only practicable method of accomplishing this will entail great care and skilful management of resources, which I trust will be organised in time to meet the next season's dangers.

104. QUARTERS FOR FORESTERS.--We have long suffered the want of inadequate quarters in which to accommodate the majority of the Foresters. It is most important, especially in cases of grass fires occurring, to have a large body of men on the spot, who will be available at once when they are suddenly required to extinguish fires which happen at times out of work hours, or for other purposes.

105. Arrangements are, however, now being made for the accommodation of some more men, for which I have to thank the Surveyor General in kindly meeting the requirements by converting a building, which was not wanted for other purposes, into quarters for a portion of the staff.

106. STORE AND TOOL ROOMS.-The greatest inconvenience is experienced by the very poor accommodation for the safe custody of tools and working material. However, some relief is, I believe, shortly to be experienced by the erection of sheds which are so much needed, and for which, also, I have to thank the Surveyor General.

107. ASSISTANCE TO ROYAL ENGINEERS.-Very frequent applications have been made by the Royal Engineers' Department for assistance and advice on subjects connected with planting at the Forts and in other places. Aid, as far as possible, has been freely given.