ENG-1976 — Page 88

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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market and marketing improvements, and support for the 13 schools managed for the benefit of fishermen's children. In 1976 the wholesale fish markets handled 92 498 tonnes which were sold for some $261 million. This included 795 tonnes of imported marine fish sold through these markets.

Facilities are inadequate in the existing wholesale markets for handling the ever increasing quantities of imported fresh vegetables, fruit, poultry, freshwater fish and crustacea. There is widespread obstruction, traffic congestion and low marketing efficiency at high costs. With the obvious need for improvement in these markets, comprehensive surveys have been conducted to obtain the data necessary for the long-term planning and establishment of new markets in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island. They will be under the direct aegis of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

Because of the need for early action, it has proved necessary for the government to construct a number of temporary wholesale markets for use until permanent markets are built. Two are located at Hing Wah Street in the Cheung Sha Wan district, adjacent to the site for the permanent market project in Kowloon, and a third which is under planning will also be located in the same district.

Mining

Until 1976 iron ore was mined from one underground mine in the New Terri- tories and the concentrate (magnetite) was exported to Japan. For economic reasons. this mine had to cease operations as from April. Kaolin, feldspar and quartz continue to be taken by opencast methods. Most kaolin is exported to Japan and most feldspar to Taiwan. All quartz, some feldspar and about 30 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 1976 there were three mining leases, nine mining licences, and one prospecting licence valid for different areas.

The mines division of the Labour Department deals with applications for prospecting and mining licences, the issue of mine blasting certificates, and delivery of explosives from government depots to blasting sites. It is responsible for inspecting mining and prospecting areas, stone quarries, blasting sites and explosives stores, to enforce mining and explosives legislation and safety regulations. It is also respon- sible for the control and management of government depots which provide bulk storage facilities for all explosives imported into Hong Kong. As a result of an agreement reached in 1975 with Headquarters British Forces, a quantity of explosives is now stored at their ammunition depot on Stonecutters Island to relieve the storage burden at the government depots.