Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 154

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FORESTRY.

Planting Operations.

29. In this branch of the department's operations, as in the Gardens, a great deal more work was accomplished than in the previous year. The total number of trees placed in permanent positions was 356,663 as against 115,081 in the previous year, that is upwards of three times the quantity. Appendix 4. gives a tabular statement of the kinds and numbers of trees planted and the localities where they were planted.

Protective Service.

30. The number of offenders brought before the Police Magistrates by Forest Guards was 101, out of which 92 convictions were obtained. This is an increase in the number of cases of 22 and of convictions of 15 as compared with the year 1891. Out of the 92 convicted persons 29 paid fines amounting to $87.50, the remainder, 63, were imprisoned for terms ranging from three days up to two months each. The lowest fine was 50 cts., and the highest $10.

31. The service was worked with the usual number of Forest Guards, but arrangements have been sanctioned for a slight increase this year.

32. The majority of offences are in each case trivial, but if these slight offences were overlooked they would undoubtedly quickly develop into more serious damages to trees.

Grass Fires.

33. There were 63 fires recorded, which destroyed about 2,000 trees.

34. I have again to thank the Police Officers at various out-stations for valuable services in reporting and extinguishing grass fires.

35. The system of fire barriers throughout the Colony was efficiently maintained, 41 miles of old barriers having been cleared and 2 miles of new ones made just before the approach of the dry season.

36. For the purpose of repressing grass fires which to a large extent are caused by people con- ducting ancestral worship at tombs scattered all over the hills, a Register of Graves has been obtained for the use of this department, so that in the event of the origin of fires being traced to certain graves the worshippers may have the responsibility fixed on them. The Register affords information of the locality of each grave and the address of the person or persons interested in its maintenance and accustomed to pay the annual tribute to ancestors. Tomb-worshipping takes place in the autumn and spring of each year, when this department stations men in the vicinity of cemeteries and graves to extinguish fires which may occur. The Register was obtained just before the late autumnal festival, and the people were acquainted with its object and admonished to exercise greater care in the use of fire. These efforts had a very happy result, very few, and they are insignificant, fires having taken place, which went far to prove that grass fires may be prevented with ordinary care.

37. I have to thank the Honourable the Registrar General, and the late Major-General GORDON, Captain Superintendent of Police, and the Officers acting under him, for this Register, the Officers in charge of out-stations having collected the information for me.

38. The Register records contain 1,164 graves in Hongkong and Kowloon. The localities, and number of graves in each, will be found in Appendix C.

39. Fortunately, no graves are now allowed to be made outside cemeteries, but it will be a long time before all interest has ceased in those which remain, therefore vigilance must not be relaxed in exercising efficient control over them.

Thinning of Plantations, &c.

40. The total number of trees removed from plantations during the year was 31,108 which realized $492.33. The total revenue for forestry products was $534.40. That for 1891 was $601.31.

41. Appendix B. gives the statistics of this work.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Honourable G. T. M. O'BRIEN, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary, &c., &c., &c.

:

Your most obedient Servant,

CHARLES FORD,

Superintendent,

Botanical and Afforestation Department.