ENG-1973 — Page 96

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

maximum returns for growers by minimising their marketing costs. During 1973, a total of 76,467 metric tons of vegetables, valued at $93,256,000 were sold through the organisation.

The Fish Marketing Organisation operates under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance, which likewise provides for a board to advise the Director of Marketing. The organisation grew out of the steps taken to rehabilitate the fishing fleet at the end of the Pacific War, with the long-term object of developing the industry on a sound economic footing. It provides orderly marketing and transportation facilities for the primary producer and the retailer of marine fish, at the organisation's seven wholesale markets. Revenue is obtained from a six per cent commission on sales of fish. As a non-profit-making body, surplus earnings are ploughed back into the primary sector of the fishing industry through low-interest loans for productive purposes. In 1973, landings marketed through wholesale fish markets totalled 77,248 metric tons valued at $201 million.

Further progress was made on projects for the creation of permanent markets in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island which will provide improved facilities to wholesale imported vegetables, fruit, poultry, freshwater fish, crustacea and flowers. The accommodation requirements for the proposed Kowloon market complex was approved, and a site has been found for the Hong Kong Island project. A temporary wholesale market for the sale of imported vegetables in Kowloon was under con- struction; this will enable the trade to achieve a more efficient distribution of supplies in Kowloon and to the New Territories. Land requirement of the mass transit railway has necessitated taking over some of the existing market sites. Therefore the planning of more temporary wholesale markets, with adequate space and facilities, was under- taken as a reprovisioning measure pending completion of the permanent projects.

Mining

Iron ore is mined underground and the concentrate (magnetite) is exported to Japan. Kaolin, feldspar and quartz are taken by opencast methods, and some kaolin is exported to Japan and Taiwan. All of the quartz, most of the feldspar and about 20 per cent of kaolin are consumed by local light industries.

Under the Mining Ordinance, the ownership and control of minerals is vested in the Crown. The Land Officer is empowered to grant mining leases and the Com- missioner of Mines to grant mining and prospecting licences. Details of leases and licences in operation are published twice a year in the Government Gazette. At the end of the year, there were three mining leases, eight mining licences, and three pros- pecting licences valid for different areas.

The Mines Department is responsible for the inspection of mining and prospect- ing areas and stone quarries for the enforcement of mining legislation, safety reg- ulations, and explosive legislation. It also deals with applications for prospecting and mining licences, the issue of mine blasting certificates, and the delivery of ex- plosives from government depots to blasting sites. The Commissioner of Mines is responsible for the control and management of government depots which provide bulk storage facilities for all explosives imported into Hong Kong.