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“...1860, and under the Convention signed at Peking in June, 1808,
the area known as the New Territories including Mirs Bay and
Deep Bay was leased to Great Britain by the Government of China
for 90 years. The area of the New Territories and Islands is
about 345 sq. miles.
Trade gradually developed as China became accustomed to
foreign intercourse and it increased greatly owing to the opening
of the Suez Canal. It now stands at about 200 million pounds
sterling per annum.
Large local banking, dock, steamboat, and insurance companies
were established between 1865 and 1872, and their numbers are
being continually added to.
The Colony is the centre of an incessant flow of C'hinese
emigration and immigration.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The land boom which had been so marked a feature in recent
years continued during the early months of the year, declining
steadily thereafter. Rents, however, showed no signs of dropping
or ceasing to rise in cases where the Rents Restriction Ordinance
did not apply...”
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“...of $7,860,666.
The circulation on the 31st December of notes of the three
Banks having authorised issues was as follows:
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Cor-
poration ..................$ 49,603,461
Chartered Bank of India, Australia, &
China ..............................11,611,486
Mercantile Bank of India, Limited ... 1,296,455
$ 62,511,402
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 $17,864,370 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...”
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“...sugar production over the previous
year, such increase being about two million tons. The difference
between the highest and lowest prices recorded for Java Sugars in
Hongkong during the year was $5.40 per picul for Java Whites
and $5.30 per picul for Java Browns.
This as is invariably the case, reacted very quickly in the
refined markets throughout China, and whereas sales were being-
made from the middle of February to the middle of March on the
basis of Shanghai Taels 12 per picul, selling limits from that time
on had to be gradually reduced, until in December the rate was as
low as Taels 8.3 mace per picul.
Adverse trading conditions in China also seriously handi-
capped the Hongkong Refineries and in August last when a sudden
and quite unj)recedentecl demand arose for Refined Sugar, business
had to be entirely suspended owing to the hostilities in the North
and the inability of dealers to finance their business owing to the
financial stringency which followed the outbreak of hostilities...”
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“...besides travelling expenses,
in the case of a Chinese student going abroad for his education.
Numerous scholarships are available, including the King
Edward VII Scholarships founded by His Majesty's Government,
the President's Scholarships founded by His Excellency the Pre-
sident of China, together with Scholarships (some of which are in
the nature of bursaries) given by the Hongkong Government, the
Chinese Government, the Metropolitan District of Peking, the Pro-
vincial Governments of Canton, Chihli, Yunnan and Ilupeh, the
Governments of the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay
States, the Government of Kedah and the Siamese Government.
Students are also drawn from the Philippines, French Indo-China
and Australasia....”
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“...over from the China Light
& Power Company and used as a motor repair shop, was con-
demned and arrangements made for a new steel roof with northern
lights to replace it. The old roof which leaked badly was unsafe
in typhoon weather and was irreparable. This work was given to
a local engineering firm and is expected to be completed ear.lv in
1925.
A siding was laid from Kowloon Station across the circulating
area in front, to connect with the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf
and Godovvn Company's premises. The siding, which is 273 feet
long to the Company's boundary, is laid on concrete with two
guard rails. An agreement was entered into with the Company
regarding its cost and use.
In connection with the Harbour Improvements, it became
necessary to alter the position of the submarine cables crossing to
Kowloon, and four cable houses were built in the Kowloon Station
south verandah to receive the terminals of the cables belonging to
the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, the China and Japan
Telephone...”
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“...721.78 for 1923, a decrease of $54,535.63. The suspension
for practically the whole year of Through and Joint Sectional Traffic
referred to above being alone responsible.
The working expenses exceeded the revenue by $87,628.27.
The Fanling Branch Line Receipts have improved under both
heads.
Through and Joint Sectional passengers carried were as
follows:
1922. 1923. 1924.
Passengers booked at Stations
in British Section to Sta-
tions in China including
Lowu........................... 526,111 250,719 168,734
Passengers booked at Stations
in China including Lowu
to Stations in British
Territory ..................... 522,909 249,152 157,115
The Local Passengers carried were as follows :
1922. 192S. 1924.
Main Line ........................ 639,709 951,001 1,177,234
Fanling Branch Line............ 52,431 73,838 82,505...”
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“............... 409,236
(I) Interest ............... 71,810
The increases were due (a), (iZ) to more licences issued, (&) to
more lines, (c) to more forfeitures, 009 00 underestimation (7/), (/<)
increased sales, (f) large estate duties (i) expansion of through
local traffic (/) sale of Shanghai Post Office and (/) increased
balances.
3. The principal deficits compared with the Estimates were :
(a) Assessed Taxes,... .........$ 119,813
(/>) Liquor Duties........................20,737
(r) China Companies Fees ..........27,240
0) Medical Examination of Emi-
grants ..............................23,684
(e) Water Excess Supplv and Meter
Rents......... "..................59,466
(/") Coaching Through Traffic ... 448,538
() Goods Through Traffic ............39,540
O Leased Lands ........................45,303
Expenditure.
4. The total expenditure brought to account amounted to
$26,726,428 being $1,801,761 more than the estimate, and
$5,154,524 more than the expenditure in 1923....”
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“...further supply
of 5,000,000 Copper one cent coins which were taken on stock
during the year.
The nominal amount of coins in circulation was $17,864,370
and the market value stood at practically par.
11. The local circulation of notes and Specie in Reserve of
the three Banks having authorized issues were as follows on 31st
December :
Notes in Specie in
Circulation Reserve.
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking
Corporation............$49,603,461 $29,900,000
Chartered Bank of India, Aus-
tralia & China ... ...... 11,611,486 5,000,000
Mercantile Bankof India, Limited 1,296,455 550,000
$62,511,402 $35,450,000...”
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“...investigation was .10 or
28.5%, as compared with 48 or 84.2% in 1.923 ; 14 were sent to
their native places ; 1 was released under bond ; 3 were restored
to their relatives ; 6 were sent to Charitable Institutions in China y.
while 1 case was still under consideration on December 31st.
4. In this year one name was added to the list of girls under
bond to report themselves periodically to the Secretary for ("hiese
Affairs. The names o; two girls who were married were struck
off the list. The number of names on the list on December
31st, was 9.
5. The number of persons reported by Hongkong residents
to the Po Leung Kuk as missing during the year was 49, of whom.
24 were found, as compared with 46 and 25 in 1923. The total
number of persons reported missing including reports from China
and Macao was 63, of whom 30 were found, as compared with 2G
out of 63 in 1923....”
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“...whom seventy-three (73) were re-
turned on the ground that they were too young to practise prosti-
tution.
An application was received for the recovery of a woman
who had emigrated to Singapore but she has not yet been found.
(b) From Penan//. One prostitute was repatriated during
the year.
(c) IChina was sent back to her relatives at Canton.
10. Prosecutions under the Women and Girls Protection Or-
dinance undertaken by this office number 7 with 4 convictions as
compared with 14 cases and 11 convictions in 1923.
(ii). Male Emigration, (Assisted).
(Table V).
11. The figures for the year show a decline in the number of
assisted emigrants, which was only about SO# of the number in
1923....”
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“...sent to their homes in the usual way. All the charges incurred
were refunded by Messrs. (Jibb. Livingston and Company, the
agents in Hongkong of the British North Borneo Government.
14. le patria! ion of assisted, einhj rants.
(a.) From .Banca.Three hundred and ninety-three (393)
assisted coolies rejected by the medical officer were repatriated
from Banca, as compared with ninety-three (93) in 1923. All were
sent home by the Tung Wa Hospital and the expenses incurred
refunded by the Holland China Trading Company by whom the
coolies were recruited.
(h.) From Baiik Papan.No assisted coolie rejected by the
medical officer was repatriated from Balik Papan as compared
with nine (9) in 1923....”
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“...response from the ("hiese of this Colony as well as
elsewhere. Over $400,000 was raised by Chinese subscription,
and §50,000 was granted by the Hongkong Government. $97,25")
was spent on measures of immediate relief, and $246,120 was
allocated to the winter repair to embankments which always form
so costlv a part of relief work after exceptionally severe floods.
In addition certain sums were voted from the Tung Wa Hospital
Fund to the assistance of flood relief in Fukien Province and in
North China.
43. The total number of in-patients admitted during 1924
was 9,149 as compared with 10,142 in 1923 and 8,079 in 1922.
Of these 4,871 or 52% as against 51% in 1923 elected to be treated
by European methods.
The out-patients numbered 197,736 as against 166,422 in 1923
and 166,002 in 1922, and of these 48,140 or 24% as against 25¡o
I?), chose European treatment....”
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“...secretaries 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
affecting 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
mui tsai, 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 gil l's willingness before giving consent to either
adoption or marriage.
In addition to the annual Committee...”
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“...c 49
1)5 women and gilds were committed, under warrant and 306
were admitted without warrant. Of i he remainder 33 were lost
children, 6 were accompanied by |)arents or guardians, and 32
were maid-servants or liuri tsniwho had left their masters or
mistresses.
On leaving the Kuk 144 women and gilds were restored to
liusbands or other relatives, 83 were sent, to charitable institutions
in China, -40 were given in adoption, 3 married, 1.10 released (1
released under bond), 16 sent to the Italian Convent and JO died.
The number of inmates remaining in the Kuk on December 31st
was 69.
The income and expenditure during the year and the assets
and liabilities of the institution are set out in Table B and C
attached.
The accounts of the Managing Committee in the customary
form have been audited by Messrs. Lo ( 'hung Kui and Lei Kit
Oho. The, balance to the credit of the Society at the end of the
year was |8,793 as compared with s 7,253 at the end of 1923.
The institution was visited monthly...”
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“...under Warrant from tbe Emigration Office. Pendiug ihe opening of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. bent with their own consent by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs ¡Sent with their own consent from Singapore and Bangkok. ¡Sent with their own consent by the Police. Lost Children. Accompanying pareuts or guardians. 'J. cr f-¡ o "eS ct P P t o H O H CD w c3 CJ % t Released under bond. Placed in charge of husband. Placed iu charge of parents 1 and relatives. , bent to Charitable Institutions in China. r-9 a 03 fc" a o ^ O H o G t O D Adopted. o 5 Died. Cases under consideration. Total.
In the Po Leung Kuk on 1st ) January, 1924. ........... f 2 1 6 12 2 11 19 4 9 66 7 8 8 5 27 3 4 4 66
Admitted during the year, ... 38 2 30 97 33 146 33 6 32 412 103 1 19 119 i:> 1! 13 6 05 412
Total. ...... 35 3 36 109 35 147 52 10 41 478 110 1 19 127 83 16 to 3 10 09 478
Remaining in the Po Leung j Kuk on the 31st Decern- ^ her. 1924.................... 1 ... 1 6 9 3 27 13 10 69...”
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“...Crews of Vessels entered at each
Port.
IV.Number, Tonnage, and Crews of Vessels cleared at each
Port.
V. Number, Tonnage, and Crews of A^essels of each Nation
entered.
VI.Number, Tonnage, and Crews of Vessels of each Nation
cleared.
VILJunks entered from China and Macao.
VILL- -Junks cleared for China and Macao.
IX.Summary of Arrivals and Departures of all Vessels.
X.Licensed Steam-launches entered.
XI.Licensed Steam-launches cleared.
XII.Number of Boat Licences issued,
XIII Statement of Revenue.
XIV.Chinese Passenger Ships cleared by the Emigration Officer
(Summary.)
XV.Return of Emigration (Quinquennial Periods.)
XVI.Return of Male and Female Emigrants.
XVII.Vessels bringing Chinese Passengers to Hongkong from
places out of China (Summary.)
XVI11 -Return of Immigration (Quinquennial Periods.)
XIX.Return of Male and Female Emigrants returned.
XX.Vessels Registered.
XXI.Vessels struck off the Register.
XXII.Comparison in Number and Tonnage of Vessels in Foreign
Trade entered and cleared...”
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“...Table VII.
Total Number, Tonnage, Crews, Passengers, and Cargoes of Junks ENTERED in the Colony of Hongkong,
from Ports 011 the Coast of China and Macao, iu the Year 1924.
Cargo.
Vessels. Tons.
Crew.
Canton............. 761 163.758 i 16,161
West River,...... 5,788 659,24S 107,304
Macao............. j 206 35,389 2,305
East Coast, ...... 2,031 134,570 18,907
West Coast,...... 123 10,157 1,815
Total, 1924,...... 8.909 1,003,122 146,492 117,977
Total, 1023,...... ! | 8.^82 746,342
Passen-
gers.
116,814:
116,814
Tons.
105,818
308,552
15,844
94,386
2,789
527,384
451.515
Ballast. Total.
Ves- sels. Tons. Crew. Passen- gers. Vessels. i Tons. ; Crew. Passen- gers.
648 160,512 12,100 1.409 324,270 28,261 .,,
3,224 38(5,024 54,408 9,012 1.045.272 161,712 116,814
667 SI,523 10,959 873 116,912 13,264
171 9,070 1,793 2.202 143,640 20,700
42 3,955 672 ... 165 14,112 2,187
4,752 641,084 79,932 13,661 1,644.206 226,424 116,811
! 4,152 550.911 66,328 4,401 | 1 12,234 1,297,253...”
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“...Table VIII.
Total Number, Tonnage, Crews, Passengers, and Cargoes of Junks CLEARED in the Colony of Hongkong, for
Ports on the Coast of China and Maeao, in the Year 1924.
Cargo.
Vessels. Tons. Crew. Passen- Cargo,
gers. tons.
1,744 358,253 33,893 346,276
West River, ... 7,571 917,336 141,879 104,679 685,112
Macao, ......... 641 85,797 9,671 73,310
East Coast,..... 1,668 76,786 14,799 260 36,213
West Coast, ... 129 13.824 1,845 ¡ 7,503
Total 1924, 11,753 1,451,996 202.087 i I 104,939 1,148,444 ;
Total 1923,...... 9,720 1,126,748 157,507 j 91,791 847,442 |
Ballast,
Ves- sels. Tons. | Crew. Passen- gers.
13 1.784 200 ¡
1.418 127,770 18,114
47 5,809 , 697
600 66,290 6,593
33 973 216
2,111 1202.62(3 j 25,820
31.358
Total.
Vessels. ; Tons.
1,757 ; 360,037
8.989 ; 1.045,106
688 91,606
143,076
14.797
2.268
162
13.S64
5.306 12,319
1,654,622
1,321,751
Crew.
i
Passen-
gers.
I
34.093 |
159,993 | 104,679
10.368 j
Cargo,
tons.
21,392
2,061
260
346,276
685...”
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“...Table XIV.
Summary of Chinese Emigrants from Hongkong to Ports other than in China, during the year 1924.
British Ships. Foriign Ships. Grand Total.
Pouts. Adults Children. Adults. Children. Adults. Children.
Total.
i ola I. i i oral.
M. F. M. F. 31. F. 31. ! F. 31. F. j 31. F.
Australia................... ........... 1,878 1 31 j 1,910 183 13 196 ! 2.061 i 14 \ 31 2.106
Africa (South).................... 18 2 20 09 28 31 j 128 ! 87 28 33 14s
British N. Borneo, ................. 2,071 374 147 97 2,6s9 7 7 | 2.078 : 374 ! 147 "i)7 2.696
Calcutta, ............................. 1.068 123 65 35 1,291 1 6 19 ! 1,08+ 1 120) 65 35 liaio
Canada, ...... ........................... 7.1! 9 1 72 7119 2 1) "> , 10 20 ¡ 6 543 7.014 ; 17 1 98 6 7,735
Delagoa Bay, ......................... 2 2 17 i 12 29 19 12 31
Dutch Indies,....................... 853 853 8.709 ! l.<>33 055 170 10,507 9.562 1,033 655 '70 11,420
Fi-ji, .....”
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“...Table Xv.
Statement of Average Number of Emigrants from Hongkong to Ports other than in
China, for Quinquennial Periods from 1885 to 1920 inclusive.
1885. 1890. 1895. 1900. 1905. 1910. 1915. 1920.
63,138 66,706 60,360 66,961 73,105 88,452 109,110 84,602
Table XVI.
Number of Male and Female Emigrants from Hongkong to Ports other than in China,
for Ten Years, from 1915 to 1924 inclusive.
Whither bound. 1915. 1916. 1917. j 191S. I 1919. 1920. 1921. I 1922. | 1923. i 1924.
Straits Settlements, Males. ............ Straits Settle merits, Females, ......... Total, ............. Other Ports, Males, ..................... Other Ports, Females, .................. Total, ............... Grand Total................ 32.440 8,838 66,965 15,832 i ; 53.250 5.914 1 7,424 10,012 2,105 1 4,214 1 1 30,330 13,605 67.032 20,292 39.616 10,740 i 52,011 13,573 58,051 17,631
41,278 82.797 63,292 8,019 11,638 43,935 87,324 50,356 65,584 75,682 49,427 4.750
25,811 1,186 33,182 1,674- 31,078 1,928 34,096...”
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