Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 424

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(IV.) Defining Boundaries.-Two large granite obelisks, bearing suitable inscriptions, were erected on Lantao Island, and a third near the shore of Mirs Bay, the former defining the points where the western limit of the Concession meets the north and south shores of the Island, and the latter the point where the eastern limit meets the shore of Mirs Bay. The points were established by H. M. S. Bramble.

(V.) Kowloon Waterworks.-Though being constructed principally for the supply of the population south of the old boundary of British Kowloon, these works are situated almost entirely within the New Territory. Substantial progress was made with the excavation of the foundations of the main dam for the large storage reservoir and about 3 miles of 12-inch cast-iron main were laid. The main was brought into service in October for conveying to Mongkoktsui and Yaumati the supply derived from the old intakes above Cheung Sha Wan and several new intakes were constructed and connected

up.

AFFORESTATION.

Tree Planting. The number of trees planted amounted to 31,746, the major- ity of which were the ordinary pine tree. Most of these were planted along the Taipo Road, and a few at Ping Shan. Included in the total are 2,781 Camphor trees planted along the Taipo Road and 112 Castilloa elastica planted below the same road between the fourth and fifth mile-stones.

Tree Seeds sown.-Pine-tree seeds to produce 46,800 trees were sown broad- cast in the catchment area of the new reservoir and between the sixth and seventh mile-stones, and to produce 24,200 trees in sites to replace the failures of the previous year.

Camphor Trees.-Experiments were made in sowing camphor seeds in pots and planting the young trees out in the middle of the summer when about five months old in order to find a cheaper way of rearing this particular tree than bas been prac- tised hitherto. The seeds germinated and the trees were 6" in height when they were planted, some in prepared trenches and some in pits, but they have made very little progress since and do not give much promise of success. That Camphor-trees will grow in the New Territory when placed under suitable conditions is proved by the fine specimens at Ho Sheung Heung. The trunks of seven of these have the following dimensions in circumference at three or four feet from the ground:—

20 feet 7 inches: 15 feet 9 inches: 13 feet 3 inches: 11 feet 4 inches:

11 feet; 8 feet 6 inches: 6 feet 8 inches:

Fire Barriers. About 4 miles of old Fire Barriers, 15 feet wide, were cleared to protect the young trees on both sides of the Taipo Road.

MEDICAL.

Mr. Ho NAI Hor, Chinese Medical Officer, resided at Taipo and visited pe- riodically the several Police Stations and villages in the New Territory. He treated 812 native patients more than in the previous year.

Malarial Fever-There was a considerable diminution in the number of cases occurring, especially amongst the members of the Police Force. This is attributed, to a great extent, to the prophylactic administration of quinine. From the 1st May to the beginning of December each of the Police, whether European, Indian or Chinese, was given three grains daily.

Cholera.-This disease was prevalent in May. Active measures were taken to check it by the issue of notices warning the Chinese against eating unripe fruit, uncooked vegetables, &c., and advising them always to boil their drinking water.

Small-pox.-This disease was epidemic at Taipo and Sha Tin Districts in the spring of the year, some twenty cases occurring with but one death. Prompt measures were taken by vaccinating all the Civil Staff, and as far as possible most of the villagers with calf lymph, and apparently with success as the disease did not spread to the neighbouring districts.

Vaccinations. Free vaccination was carried on at the Police Stations during the winter months and altogether during the year 336 vaccinations were performed as compared with 78 in 1901.