2 
Communications and Buildings. 
/ 
6, Thirteen miles and fifty-eight chains of inspection paths were constructed in 
Sungei Udang Reserve at a cost of $51.01 a mile and $412.55 was spenKon the de- 
marcation of paths in Sedanan Reserve. 
7 New quarters for the subordinate staff were built at Balik Pulau, Telok 
Pahang and Segari. 
8. The maintenance of buildings was undertaken by the Public Works Depart- 
ment. 
Protection of Forests. 
9. Forty-six forest offences were reported, of which 23 were compounded, and 
23 were taken into court. Of the latter one case was dismissed. Fines inflicted by 
the Magistrates amounted to $524.50, and $21 1.58 was awarded as compensation for 
damage to the forests. Compensation paid in compounded cases amounted to $625. 
For details see Form 7. 
IMPROVEMENT OF FORESTS. 
Natural Reproduction. 
10. The latter part of the year was remarkable for an exceptionally heavy fruit- 
ing of nearly all kinds of forest trees. The fine dipterocarp forest of the Telok 
Muroh Forest Reserve in the Dindings was particularly prolific. Exploitation on a 
limited scale has been going on in this reserve for several years, and on this area 
there is a tine crop of young Class I trees. An inspection of the Merlimau Reserve 
in Malacca also showed that the removal of selected Class I trees had a beneficial 
effect on the forest as regards regeneration. Meranti and Keruing establish them- 
selves quickly in any opening in the canopy marie by the felling operation. The fate 
of seedlings of the slower growing Class 1 trees is not so certain. In the absence of 
some artificial assistance they are liable to be suppressed by the quick growing Class 
II trees which have also benefited by the admission of light to the ground. 
Plantations and Cultural Operations. 
1 1. Five hundred and eighty-five dollars and five cents were expended on the 
Para Rubber Plantations at Bukit Timah and Seletar, Singapore, and revenue from 
these sources amounted to $1,062.50. Six hundred and twenty-eight dollars and 
fifty-six cents were paid by the lessee of the Bukit Bruang Para Rubber Plantation in 
Malacca. 
12. Mangrove seed was planted in the Sungei Acheh Reserve in Province 
Wellesley about a foot and a half apart at a cost of $1 10 over an area of eight acres. 
An inspection of the mangrove planting of former years in Tanjong Burong Reserve 
shows that this planting has been successful on the whole, but it has been somewhat 
expensive and it is probable that some of the planted areas would have been restock- 
ed naturally if left alone. Crabs have done much damage to seedlings, but the 
planting was close enough to allow for the loss. 
EXPLOITATION. 
Timber and Fuel. 
(a) From Reserves. 
13. On Singapore island firewood cutting was continued in five mangrove coupes 
worked in previous years, and four new coupes were opened. The total area under 
exploitation during the whole or part of the year was 427 acres. The new coupes 
comprising 19 1 acres, realised an average of $31.90 per acre, compared with $26.81 
and $10.83 P er acre * n * 9*9 and 1918 respectively. The estimated outturn from the 
leased coupes was 3,620 tons, as against 4,280 tons in 1919* Permits were again 
issued to take firewood from coupes of former years which had not been completely 
exploited and from certain other parts of reserves. The estimated outturn of 140 
