ENG-1948 — Page 12

Some

development of the natural resources of the rural areas. of these twelve schemes have already been approved and others at the

request of the Secretary of State are being reconsidered by the New Territories Sub-Committee of the Development and

Welfare Committee.

Among the schemes approved are the construction of four dolphins or landing piers at Kennedy Town market to facilitate the landing of fish brought for sale in the Fisheries Wholesale Market (£10,000); the reclamation of an area of approximately 46,000 square feet of land on the western side of Aberdeen harbour (50,000); the establishment of village depots in the New Territories where vegetables can be collected from the farmer, seeds, fertilizers and insecticides can be distributed, modern methods can be demonstrated and friendly liaison can be established between the farmer and the officers of the Agricultural Department (capital expenditure of £9,000 and £9,375 in respect of half the recurrent expenditure are granted under the Act and a further £9,375 has been granted as a loan for five years); the purchase of diesel engines for fitting into junks as a first step in the mechanization of the fishing fleet (grant of £10,000 and a loan of £40,000 have been approved). Projects for Fisheries and Research and Upper-air Meteorological Research have been approved under the Central Scheme.

Other schemes still under consideration include the construction of roads and piers in the New Territories; the establishment of a large factory for the conversion of city nightsoil into a safe fertilizer; the extension of irrigation in the New Territories; the development of the Kam Tin area into an agricultural station; the making of topographical land utilization and economic mineral surveys under the Central (Research) Scheme; the development and modernization of the fishing industry; and the construction of "tambaks" or salt-water fishponds.

New Agricultural Staff.

Two

Though the Colony cannot bear comparison as to agricultural area with most other Colonies, it has long felt the need of professional officers of the Colonial Agricultural Service. such, a Senior Agricultural officer, and an Animal Husbandry Officer have now been appointed, and find ample scope for

their services.

Housing

In spite of the building boom which occurred during 1948 housing continued to present a major problem. Tenement

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