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“...ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT FOR 1920.
PREFACE.
Hongkong is situated off the south-eastern coast of China be-
tween 22 9' and 22 17' N. latitude and 114 5' and 114 18' E.
longitude. The island is an irregular ridge, stretching nearly east
and west; its peaks rising to the height of nearly 2,000 feet above
the sea level. Its length is about 11 miles, its breadth from 2 to 5
miles, its area about 32 square miles.
In 1898 an extension of Hongkong territory was agreed to by
an area adjacent to British Kowloon, including Mirs Bay and Deep
Bay, being leased for 99 years.
The Colony, then a desolate island, sparsely inhabited by
fishermen, was ceded to Great Britain in January, 1841 ; the cession
was confirmed by the Treaty of Nankin in August, 1842 ; and the
charter bears date 5th April, 1843. The additions subsequently
obtained on the'mainland have been noted above.
Trade increased with the opening up of China to foreign trade.
Large local banking, dock, steamboat, and insurance companies were
established...”
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“...decreases. The excess amounting to $742,979 under Miscel-
laneous Services was due.to the grant of $1,000,000 to Hongkong
University and $378,104 in the case of the Police and Prison
Departments due to increase of Staff and revision of Salaries.
Military Expenditure was less than the estimate by $168,752 on
account of the Revenue for 1919 having been over-estimated. The
item Charitable Services was reponsible for an excess over the
estimates of $104,339 due to a grant of $100,000 to the North
China Famine Relief Fund. Decreases were mostly clue to the
sterling value of the dollar being higher than'that on which the
estimates were based, and to certain Public Works for which
provision had been made not being proceeded with....”
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“...an increase in
rateable value of $6,247,569.
The circulation on the 31st December of notes of the three
Banks having authorised issues was as follows :
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, ... $26,397,580
Chartered Bank of India, Australia, & China, ... 10,061,863
Mercantile Bank of India, Limited, ... 1,000,009
$37,459,452
The currency of the Colony consists, in addition to the notes
of these Banks, of British, Hongkong, and Mexican Dollars and of
subsidiary coin, which continued at par throughout the year.
The total issue of subsidiary coins less those demonetized, now
amounts to $ 20,764,370 nominal value, and they were up to the
year 1905 readily absorbed at par, large quantities being taken by
the neighbouring provinces of China. During 1916 ten cent
pieces of the face value of $5,028,000 were shipped to Calcutta for
purposes of demonetization. The discount which prevailed be-
tween 1905 and 1916 may be attributed to the immense quantity of
similar coin which was minted at...”
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“...exceptional
rates a slump took place, which was largely brought about by the
over-anxiety of America to fill her shortages and prices fell away
equally rapidly, the actual difference between the highest and lowest
prices touched between the middle of May and December being 61
Guilders a picul.
The Refined markets follow the upward trend of prices to a
certain extent in April and May and satisfactory sales were made
to India, America and Europe both for prompt and forward
deliveries.
Demand from China was consistent throughout the year but
for the first six months prices were disappointing.
Yam.The Yarn trade during 1920 was very unsatisfactory
and resulted in severe losses to native dealers, some of the smaller
ones being forced to close down.
Trade was brisk until March but the Japanese financial crisis
and the raising of the embargo on Japanese Yarn exports brought
clown prices with a run and so far there has not been any reasonable
reaction from this collapse.
The total quantity of Indian...”
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“...business
transacted was large (about twice that of 1919) but, although the
Sterling price was as high as £421 10s. in the early part of the year
and as low as £205 10s. towards the close, there was little variation
in local prices over the whole year owing entirely to the vagaries in
exchange.
Imports and Exports for the year, in round figures, were :
Imports.
From Straits,......... 300 Tons.
China, ......... 100
Netli. Indies,.. 300
Yunnan, ......10,100
Kwangsi,...... 400 ,,
11,200 Tons
Exports.
To United Kingdom, 3,600 Tons.
United States, ... 5,300
Sundry Ports, ... 300
China, ............ 2,900
-,, Japan, ............ 1,500 ,,
13,600 Tons.
Rattan and Fibre Furniture.In sympathy with practically all
lines, 1920 was a bad year for these commodities. The value of
Rattan and Fibre Furniture exported was about half of 1919.
Seagrass declined to about the same percentage whilst Rattan core
was worse, about 25% of 1919.
Native Tobacco.Only a very small business was ...”
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“...of British and Chinese subscribers. It was
founded with funds representing about equal proportions of Chinese
and British money.
At the end of the year the number of students was 225, 77
of whom were taking the Engineering Course, 75 Medicine, and 73
Arts. While most of the students have studied in Hongkong
schools, a number come from Canton, the Coast Ports of China,
the Straits Settlements, Siam, and Japan. There are numerous
scholarships, including those founded in honour of King Edward
VII, the President of the Republic of China and by various Pro-
vincial Governments.
The idea of the University is to provide, close to China, educa-
tion for Chinese similar to that given in the British Universities,
but at a much cheaper cost; for if a Chinese goes abroad to be
educated he has to pay, besides travelling expenses, some $2,500
per annum ; whereas at Hongkong the expenses of the Uni-versity
are $540 per annum for board and tuition, or including extras
about a minimum of $1,000 per annum...”
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“...three branchesCivil, Electrical, and Mechanical.
The University has an exceptionally large equipment of machinery
and apparatus, and has a number of laboratories and workshops.
There is practically no place in China where students have such
an opportunity of seeing all kinds of machinery in actual working
and of learning their practical management. Several graduates
have obtained an Honour's Degree awarded by the Examiners of
the London University.
The University insists upon all. students having a proper
knowledge of their own language although instruction at the
University is carried out in English. Students are required to
pass an examination in written Chinese before entering, and two
Chinese Professors,. both Hanlin graduates, give lectures on the
classics and history of China.
VPUBLIC WORKS.
The Central Police Station and the Harbour Office extensions
were completed, and a commencement was made with the erection
of two large blocks of Quarters for Scavenging Coolies, one block
being...”
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“...the first section of the road from Taitam Gap to Shek 0, the road from
Wanchai Gap to Magazine Gap, the road connecting Pokfulam and
Victoria Roads contouring the Western side of Mount Davis, and
the extension of Lugard Road, whilst extensive widening improve-
ments were carried out to the Shaukiwan Road.
In Kowloon, considerable progress was made with the extension
of Coronation Road, also with, the road connecting Mongkoktsui
with Kowloon City ; and the road from the Kowloon City Road to
the China Light & Power Company's new Station and the Hong-
kong & Whampoa Dock Company's new houses at Tai Wan Bay
was completed.
Advantage was taken of the large amount of filling obtained
from the extension of Coronation Road referred to above to level
up portions of the low-lying areas east of Shanghai Street near
this point.
In the New Territories, the extensive improvements to that
portion of the Taipo Road between the 9th and 18th milestones
were nearly completed, whilst further improvements to...”
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“...way earnings.
Through and Joint Sectional Traffic Receipts were $318,345.37
an increase of $10,017:63 when compared with 3 919.
The Gross Receipts for the vear were $520,176.10 as against
$490,092.77 for 1919 an increase of $30,083.33.
The balance after paying working expenses stands at $33,032.06.
The Through and Joint Sectional Passengers carried were as
follows :
1918. 1919. 1920.
Passangers booked by Stations
in British Territory to
Stations in China ..."...... 307,491 344,716 365,665
Passengers booked by Stations
in China to Stations in
British Territory ......... 323,642 354,699 373,770
The Local Passengers carried were as follows :
1918. 1919. 1920.
Main line........................... 296,379 345,314 392,206
Fanling Branch .................. 45,187 48,917 47-,787
VI. GOVERNMENT AND AIDED INSTITUTIONS.
(a.)Hospitals.
Government Hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital, to which
is attached an isolated Maternity Hospital, the Victoria Hospital
for Women and Children...”
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“...128 less than the estimate and $1,835,303 less than the
revenue in 1919. Compared with that year there were decreases
under the heads Licences and Interest, the former head showing a
drop of $2,539,616. All other heads showed increases.
2. The principal sub-heads showing excess over the estimate
are as follows :
() Assessed Taxes,......... ...$ 49,512
(b) Liquor Duties, ......... ... 49,795
(c) Stamps, ............ ... 292,821
(d) Tobacco Duties,..............................31,877
(e) China Companies Fees, ..................31,608
(/) Water Excess Supply and Meter
Rents,.................. 57,834
(g) Postage, .................. 101,122
(h) Land Sales,.................. 356,349
The increases are due (a) to new assessment, (b) more con-
sumption, (e) to more Probate Duty, (d) to increased sales, (e) to
new flotations, (/) more metered service, (g) to increase of business,
and (Ji) to more lands being disposed of.
3. The principal deficit compared with the Estimates was :
Opium...”
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“...Subsidiary Coin, Unallocated Stores, etc,
11. Subsidiary coins in stock on the 31st December were as
follows :
... $ 2,334
50 cents,
20
10
5
Copper,
4,590
559,611
76,908
18,884
662,327
The nominal amount of coins in circulation is $20,764,370, and
the market value is now practically par.
12. The local circulation in December of notes of the three
Banks having authorized issues was as follows :
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, $26,397,580
Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China, 10,061,863
Mercantile Bank of India, Limited, ...... 1,000,009
$37,459,452
The specie in Reserve came to ... ......$24,550,000
13. The rate of exchange for the Estimates was taken at 3/-
whereas the average rate for purposes of conversion in the Treasury
books was 4/5.
C. Mol. Messer,
Treasurer.
28th July, 1921....”
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“...warrant and sent
direct to the Po Leung Kuk during the year was 85 as compared
with .167 in 1919; the action taken in each case (as also in those
cases not decided at the end of 1919) is shown in Table III. The
number of women whose detention was found unnecessary and who
were allowed to leave after investigation was 56 or 65'8%, as
compared with 81 or 48*5% in 1919 ; 14 were sent to their native
places ; 3 were restored to their relatives ; 1 married and 2 were sent
to Charitable institutions in China; while 9 cases were still under
consideration on December 31st.
4. Three names were added to the list of*girls under bond to
report themselves annually, half-yearly or quarterly to the Secretary
for Chinese Affairs, a precaution taken to guard against their being-
forced into prostitution. The names of three girls were struck off
the list; one of them was married and the other two were sent back
to their relatives. The number of names on the list on December
31st was 13.
5. The number of persons...”
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“...o 2
were found, as compared with 84 and 38 in 1919. The total number
of persons reported missing, including reports from China and
Macao, was .103, of whom 24 were found, as compared with 42 out
of 1.17 in 19.19.
Emigration.
Asiatic Emigration Ordinance No. 30 of 1915.
(i.)Emigration of Women and Children, (Free).
(Table IV.)
6. The number of female and minor passengers examined and
allowed to proceed abroad was 20,690 (women 13,002, girls- 1,734,
and boys 5,954) as compared with 8,550 in 1919.
During the year one ship carrying women and children left for
South Africa and three for Mauritius.
Emigrants to Bangkok are not now brought to this office for
examination.
7. The record of the occupations of the female emigrants over
16 years of age shows that out of a total of 13,002, 4,286 were going
to join relatives, 2,839 with relatives, or husbands, 732 as tailoresses,
1,198 as prostitutes, 2,833 as maidservants or nurses, 633 as cooks,
366 to work in tin mines or on plantations...”
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“...-03-
(6.) From Fencing.Five prostitutes were repatriated from
Penang on the ground that they were too young to practise pro-
stitution there.
One prostitute found in Penang in a destitute condition was
repatriated to China.
One woman whose husband was killed in a motor car accident
was repatriated.
(c.) From Bangkok.Three women who had emigrated to
Bangkok, were enticed to proceed to the Straits, and there forced
to become prostitutes. They were recovered and repatriated by the
Straits Government.
(d.) From Jam.One woman who was unable to earn her
living in Java was repatriated, and arrangements were made by
this office to have her returned to her native place.
(e.) British North Borneo.A woman was repatriated from
Jesselton, because in the opinion of the Chinese Consul and
the Chinese Community she was undesirable. As all efforts to
trace through the Committee of the Po Leung Kuk the whereabouts
of her relatives failed she was allowed to proceed to her home
unaccompanied.
10. P...”
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“...sent in British ships as far as Singapore,
where, arrangements have been made for their transhipment.
(/.) Cuba.The relaxation of the restriction on Chinese im-
migration into Cuba, so as to enable the Cuban Government to
discharge its obligations under the International Sugar Convention
led to a rush of Chinese emigrants to Cuba. The Secretary of
State has ruled that apart from oLd emigrants returning to Cuba,
such emigration could not be permitted without the sanction of
the Governments of China and Cuba. In the absence of any
efforts on the part of the Government of Cuba to put the emigration
on a regular footing the position is still unsatisfactory.
14. The total number of free emigrants to the Fiji Islands,
who passed through this office was 42. Tiiey went in small parties
at irregular intervals.
15. Fifteen (15) decrepits were returned from Singapore,
one died at sea: the rest were sent back to iheir homes by the
Tuug Wall Hospital. Two of these men were blind, and had to be
sent...”
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“...redemption of assisted coolies
were received as compared with six (6) in 1919.
(a.) Banka.Three (3) applications were received, and all the
men were repatriated and handed back to their relatives.
A request was received to forward a letter to an assisted
emigrant in Banka, asking him to return to China at the expiration
of his contract. The man was traced and the letter delivered.
(b.) Balik Papan.Two (2) applications were received, one of
the men concerned has returned, and the other case was still under
consideration at the end of the year. These are the first applica-
tions received for redemption From Balik Papan.
The assisted Emigration to Bancaand Balik Pap an is managed
by the Holland China Trading Company, to whose prompt action
the parties concerned in these cases are indebted....”
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“...has
special reference to the Chinese:
No. 8 of 1920: this repeals the Societies Ordinance No. 47
of 1911, which was found to be cumbrous and of very little use
for the effective control of disorder by guilds and societies. It
abolishes the registration system, and instead gives full discretion
to the Governor in Council to declare any society unlawful which
is used, or may be used for unlawful purposes, or purposes
incompatible with peace and good order, or for promoting crime
or disorder in China. It further gives the powers necessary for
detection and suppression of such societies.
No. 12 of 1920: this further amends No. 4 of 1897 by the
throwing upon defendants accused of harbouring girls under 21
the onus of proving their right to harbour such girls.
No. 13 of 19 20: this is complementary to No. 8 of 1920, and
aims-at restraining acts of intimidation such as are commonly used
by disorderly and illegal societies, especially threats of violence.
General.
74. Under the terms of the...”
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“... to the managing Committee. This
Committee meets every evening from Monday to Friday at 7 p.m.:
the principal meeting of the week is held at 12 noon on Sunday.
It not only manages the Po Leung Kuk, but acts as an advisory
Committee to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs in all cases affect-
ing women and children, and Chinese family life generally, which
are often extremely difficult and tedious. It corresponds when
necessary with charitable institutions and private persons in
various parts of China, traces parents of lost children or ill-treated
muitsais, and shelters for the night any Chinese woman or girl
who chooses to go. When parents or relations cannot be traced,
the Committee arranges for the girls in its care to be given in
marriage (never as concubines) or in adoption, always under bond
and always with the consent of this office ; and in every case this
office ascertains the girl's willingness before giving consent to
either adoption or marriage.
In addition to the annual Committee...”
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“...year 343 persons were admitted as
against 476 in 1919. The circumstances of the admission and the
action taken in regard to them are set out in Table A.
85 women and girls were committed under warrant and 174
were admitted without-warrant. Of the remainder 33 were lost
children, 8 were accompanied by parents or guardians, and 43
were runaway maid-servants or muitsai."
On leaving the Kuk 126 women and girls were restored to
husbands or other relatives, 36 were sent to charitable institutions
in China. 23 were given in adoption, 10 married, and 18 released
under bond, 9 sent to the Italian Convent. The number of inmates
remaining in the Kuk on December 31st was 47.
The income and expenditure during the year and the assets
and liabilities of the institution are set out in Tables B and 0
attached.
The accounts of the Managing Committee in the customary
form have been audited by Messrs. Sham Chak-chiu and Wong
Kwong-tin. The balance to the credit of the Society at the end
o£ the year was $23...”
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“...Emigration Office. 1 Pending the opening of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. Bent with their own consent by the Secretary for Chinese AfPairs Sent with their own consent from Singapore. Manila, and Swatow. Sent with their own consent by the Police. Lost Children. o cn p cd c§ cc <-. euc.S S V, p p o2 fcj. a o o < Runaway maid-servants. Total. Released after enquiry. Released under bond. Placed in charge of husband. Placed in charge of parents and relatives. Sent to Charitable Institutions in China. c i) p o y & -t p o ^ o 1> j=PS o 30 o o a fl Adopted. | Married. Died. | Cases under consideration. c
In the Po Leung Kuk on 1st ( January, 1(J20.............j 4 3 4 8 1 19 5 2 lfi 62 7 3 7 14 8 3 10 3 1 6 62
Admitted during the year, ... 80 5 . 10 82 9 73 33 8 43 343 128 15 10 95 28 6 13 7 41 343
Total. ............ 84 8 14 90 10 92 38 10 59 405 135 18 17 109 36 9 23 10 1 47 405
Remaining in the Po Leung j
Kuk on the 31st Decern- I 9 I 11 1 . 6 5 14 47
ber...”
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