Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 334

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FIRES.

I am not able to report so favourably of

grass fires.

These were very numerous and destructive. The total number of fires was 52, which destroyed 13,229 trees, compared with 27 and 3,285, re- spectively, in the previous year. The most destructive fire was on Mount Davis on March 19th; this killed 8,448 trees some of them in gullies being of good size.

:

Twenty (20) out of the 52 fires did no harm beyond burning grass.

The statistics are in Appendix D.

FIRE BARRIERS.

Fifty-three (53) miles of old barriers were cleaned and 6 miles of new ones were made. Low combustible vegetation having grown higher than formerly in many places I had all the barriers which were only 10 feet wide increased to 15 feet, which affords greater security in preventing fires leaping the bared lines.

NEW TERRITORY.

Soon after the New Territory was taken over I commenced a series of journeys, which were continued as occasion allowed, over the whole territory to acquire information on all points in which this department might be called upon to operate in its special functions.

It was found that tree planting was required around the various new police stations and the buildings occupied by Europeans at Táipó, and that tree planting could also be done with advantage in other places. Operations were therefore cominenced in October for planting about 80,000 trees during the ensuing year.

His Excellency the Governor when travelling in the territory came to the conclusion after seeing the sugar cane growing there that new varieties of cane might be introduced, and at His Excellency's request I have made arrangements for new varieties to be obtained from different countries, some of which have arrived and been planted near Ha Tsun.

His Excellency also obtained two Chatannooga Sugar Mills which this department had fixed in the New Territory and exhibited the working of to the sugar growers there. The advantages these mills possess over the Native mills may lead to their extended introduction.

I have also obtained improved varieties of pine-apple plants from Ceylon which will be useful introductions to the districts where pine-apples are now cultivated to a considerable extent. The best fruits from the New Territory are now brought over to Hongkong and canned at a factory at West Point.

The New Territory has features which show possibilities of considerable development in forestry. and kindred work, but these matters cannot be fittingly dealt with in an Annual Report of work done; they, however, should receive best and early attention in another way.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

Honourable F. II. MAY, C.M G..

Acting Colonial Secretary,

St.,

&C...

&c.

CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,

Botanical and Afforestation Department.