Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 787

No. 1905

36

HONGKONG.

CORRESPONDENCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE FELLING AND PLANTING OF THE PINUS MASSONIANA" IN HONGKONG,

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

Table of Contents.

Serial!

No.

From or to whom.

Despatcli No., &c.

Date.

Subject.

Page.

1

2

Mr. C. Ford to the Hou Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G.

35

Mr. Danu to Colonial Secre-

tary.

+

Governor of Hongkong

5

Mr. Dunu

6

7

Governor of Hongkong to Viceroy and Governor- General of India.

Viceroy and Governor-Gen-

eral of India to Governor, Hongkong.

8

The Inspector-General

Forests, India.

9

of

14th Sept., Questions by Hon. Mr. R.

1904.

Shewan.

26th Oct., | Advocating a 50-year rota-

1904.

tion for felling of pine

trees.

Minute on Mr. Ford's Letter.

12th Dec., Minnte ou Mr. Ford's Let-

ter and Mr. Dunn's reply."

1904.

30th Mar.,; Report upon the choice of

1905.

rotation for Pinus mas- soniana in Hongkong.

2524/05. 5th April, Asking for opinion of In-

!

1905.

30th May, 1905.

spector-General of For- ests in India as to rotation recommended.

Reply to above forwarding note by Inspector-Gen- eral of Forests in India. Note on the growth of Pinus massoniana iu Hongkong.

Decision of His Excellency

the Governor in Council.

1

7

7

1. Extract from the Minutes of a Meeting of the Legislative Council held on the

14th September, 1904.

Hon. R. SHEWAN asked the following questions:---

1. Is the tree-cutting at present going on on the Island of Hongkong

authorised by Government?

2. If so, will the Government give its reasons for such tree-cutting?

The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied as follows:-

1. Yes.

2. The tree-cutting is part of the scheme of forestry by which the Government intend to maintain for future generations the same advantages as are now enjoyed by the present one from the beauty, salubrity, water conservancy and timber production of the pine plantations. If the mature trees were not gradually. replaced by young ones these advantages would soon be lost. The methods employed are those usually practised for the main- tenance of closely planted coniferous forest. In order to plant it is necessary to fell, but every possible consideration will be paid each year to the interests of the residents at the time: