Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 337

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FORESTRY.

29. Appendix B gives the kinds and quantities of trees planted, the localities where. they were placed, and the approximate area occupied by them. The total number of trees planted is 33,923; they were planted in 17 different localities ranging over places as far as to Repulse Bay and Tytam Tuk.

THINNING OF PLANTATIONS.

30. The particulars are given in Appendix C. about half of the number being felled in Kowloon.

16,491 trees were removed from eight localities, These thinnings realised $444.51 net.

LANTANA.

31. This plant has established itself at the West end and in the Happy Valley. Nearly all of it on Crown lands was cut down during 1898 to keep it in check, as it is a troublesome weed when it encroaches on plantations.

PROTECTIVE SERVICE.

32. Illicit tree cutting has again been brought within reasonable limits. The total number of trees cut and reported is 686. The number of convictions obtained by the forest guards was 51. There are, however, always a large number of cases of trees cut where the culprits are undetected. The convictions are mostly for cutting pine trees for firewood. Remembering that there are only five forest guards for the whole Island and Kowloon, the protection of the vast number of trees in existence must be considered as being very economically managed. In Hongkong alone, without Kowloon, there are nearly 30 square miles to protect.

FIRES.

33. Grass fires as a rule occur only during the dry season. In the year under review there were 11 between January 1st and June 14th, and 16 between October 20th and December 23rd. Trees to the number of 3,285 were destroyed by 10 of these fires, the other 17 fires did no damage to trees, grass only and small shrubs being burnt by them.

The Police at the stations nearest to the scenes of the fires, and forest guards were instrumental in extinguishing the fires, and I have again to acknowledge the valuable services rendered by the Police Department in this work, as also in notifying me of the occurrence of fires.

The fire lines, of which there are about 50 miles in the Colony, consist of lines from 10 to 15 feet wide of the earth cleared-most of them annually-of all grass and vegetation. These lines of bared earth in most cases where fires reach them are effective in checking their progress, but in some instances when strong winds occur at the time of the fires pieces of ignited material are carried over the lines and start fires where they fall. It will be necessary to increase the width of the lines in some places where vegetation has become dense.

Unfortunately it is impossible to discover how or by whom fires have originated, but I have no doubt that in nearly all cases it is by the carelessness of people using matches, and I have good reasons for thinking that Europeans and natives alike are responsible for such thoughtlessness.

Appendix D. supplies particulars of grass fires.

I have the honour to be,

Hon. J: H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G.,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

CHALES FORD, Superintendent,

Colonial Secretary,

&C.,

&C.,

&c.

Botanical and Afforestation Department,