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“...and under the Convention signed at Peking in June, 1898, the area known as the New Territories including Mirs Bay and Deep Bay was leased to Great Britain by the Government of China for 99 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 Chinese emigration and immigration....”
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“...for volunteers as special constables, tramway drivers, crews for the Kowloon ferries etc. met with a ready response. The firm attitude taken up by the Government rapidly restored confidence, and towards the end of July the demobilisation of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps commenced. Places of strikers were filled, workers began to come back until outwardly the Colony was quite normal again. But though the strike had collapsed there followed a boycott of British trade and shipping in South China, instigated by and only maintained through the activities of the strike picket organisation with headquarters in Canton, to the detriment of merchants and business- people both British and Chinese, in Hong Kong, Canton, Swatow and the Kwang-Tung province generally.
In order to assist the business community to tide over the difficulties caused by the boycott the Secretary of State for the Colonies in October arranged for a loan to the Hong Kong Government of £3,000,000 to be advanced to merchants...”
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“...005,676.
The circulation on the 31st December of notes of the three Banks having authorised issues was as follows:—
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation .............................$ 45,332,993
Chartered Bank of India, Australia, &
China ... .................... ... 14,587,808
Mercantile Bank of Incjia, Limited ... 1,459,875
$ 61,380,676
The currency of the Colony consists, in addition to the notes of these Banks, of British, Hong Kong, 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 $17,889,370 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 between 1905 and 1916 may be attributed to the immense quantity of similar coin which was...”
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“...261,493 tons.
Of the above 41,336 vessels of 32,179,053 tons were engaged in Foreign Trade as compared with 57,765 vessels of 38,770,499 tons, in 1924.
Table 1 shows a decrease in British Ocean-going Shipping of 1,381 ships or 26T per cent and a decrease of 1,977,932 tons or 16T per cent. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and present boycott in South China.
Foreign Ocean-going vessels have decreased by 1,911 ships and by 2,243,124 tons or 22'3 per cent in numbers and 1ST per cent in tonnage. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and present boycott in South China....”
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“...decreased by 3,062 ships with a decrease in tonnage of 1,069,546 tons or 43'0 per cent in numbers and 16'3 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and present boycott in South China.
Foreign River Steamers show a decrease of'1,052 ships with a decrease in tonnage of 387,469 tons or 45’4 per cent in numbers and 46T per cent in tonnage. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and present boycott in South China.
In Steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in Foreign trade there is a decrease of 2,445 ships with a decrease in tonnage of 66,336 tons or 31'2 per cent in numbers and 28'7 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in launches and tonnage is due to the recent strike and the present boycott in South China.
A comparison between the years 1924 and 1925 is given in the following table:—
Class of Vessels. 1924. 1925. Decrease,
No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage.
British Ocean-going, 5,297 11,844,752 3,916 9.8 66,820...”
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“...foreign trade show a decrease of 6,578 vessels, and a decrease of 847,039 tons or 23'9 per cent in numbers and 25'6 per cent in tonnage. This decrease is due to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
In local trade (i.e. between places within the waters of the Colony) there is a decrease in Steam-Launches of 367,826 and a decrease in tonnage of 8,571,867 tons or 54’2 per cent in numbers and 51'5 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in numbers and tonnage is due to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
Junks in local trade show a decrease of 1,060 vessels and a decrease of 98,180 tons or 3'8 per cent in numbers and 7'4 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in vessels is due principally to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
Of vessels of European construction 4,776 ocean steamers, 3,085 river steamers and 2.695 steamships not exceeding 60 tons entered during the year, giving a daily average of 28‘9 ships as compared with 41'2 ships...”
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“...15 —
In addition to the raw sugar markets being under the influence of over production practically throughout the year resulting in a steadily declining market, the Hong Kong refineries have again been seriously handicapped by tlie disturbed political conditions throughout China, the serious strike which started last June and the boycott of British manufactures which necessitated shutting down both refineries entirely for a time.
Competition from Japanese refined sugar also been very keen, but it is reported that the refineries in that Country have agreed amongst themselves to restrict their output, which would indicate that their losses must have been considerable.
Kopp. Making.—The demand for Alanila cordage was fairly good during the first six months of 1925 but it fell off in the second half of the year owing to political troubles in Canton.
(e.)—Fisheries.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hong Kong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number...”
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“...these women students are all members of the Union.
The students of the University come from Kwangtung, Chilhi, Hankow, Hupeh, Yunnan, Hunan, Shanghai, Pekin, Fukien, Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Jahore, Java, Manila, Burma, Siam, Japan, India and Macao. The present enrolment is 300 of whom about 250 are Chinese and 50 non-Chinese. Of the Chinese students some 134 come from Kwangtung and Hong Kong, 50 from the Federated Malay States and 18 from Java. Students from other places outside China number about ten.
The behaviour of the students of the University throughout the troubles connected with the strike and boycott was admirable. It is true that when the strike and boycott began in June, the University was in vacation ; but at the time there were more than one hundred students in residence. The University re-opened on its normal date in September. Nearly all the students came back, some at considerable personal risk, and throughout the term which then opened their whole attitude...”
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“...e to Revenue $14,744.04. Further items amounting to $10,734.89 are included in respect of services rendered and materials supplied by Government departments, also payments by Railway during the year not provided for in the Railway Estimates but charged to Government votes. The working expenses exceeded the Revenue by $99,323.18.
Through and Joint Sectional passengers carried were as follows:—
Passengers booked at Stations in British Section to Stations in China including 1923. 1924. 7025.
Lowu Passengers booked at Stations in China including Lowu to Stations in British 250,719 168,734 16,224*
Territory 249,152 157,115 16,316*
The Local Passengers carried were as follows :—
1923. 1924. 1925
Main Line 951,001 1.177,234 1.083.821
Fanling Branch Line 73,838 82,505 58,419
* Lowu bookings not included as formerly....”
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“...Authority.
Amount
Outstanding.
JOINT SINKING FUND 1925.
Amount of Stock, &c.
Cost Price.
Market Price.
Ordinance No. 12 of 1916.
Ordinances Nos. 1 & 2 of 1893 and No. 11 of 1905.
$3,000,000
£1,485,732.16.5
Deposits on Hongkong & Shanghai
Banking Corporation ....@ 55 %
Do. ...@ 3J %
Do. @ 2|»/.
Chartered Bank of India.
Australia and China ....@ 4 %
Leung Ki Ho and Butt
Lui Him ....... 9 % Mortgage.
P. K. Kwok ........75 »/«
Chinese Estates Ltd..7 %
Captain F. L. Brown. 8 °/0
Soo Wing Kee ...... 8“/i
To Teuk Ki......... 8 “/»
Less Deposits withdrawn from Hongkong u Shanghai Banking Corporation ...............@ 35 7°
Do. ....@ 2J 7,
Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and China ...@ 4 7*
Dollar Total .
National War
Bonds, (1927) .......5 % Stock.
Do., April (1928)...5 7° „
Sept. (1928) ..5 7» „
Feb. (1929)...5 %
Do.,
Do..
War Loan, (1929-47)......5 %
Sterling Total.
Antigua, (1919/44)......4 7° Stock.
Barbados. (1925/42) ....3J % „
British Guiana. (1935)...4 % ,,
Do. (1923/45)...3 »/„ „
Cape of Good...”
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“...— A (1) 7
11. The local circulation of notes and Specie in Reserve oE the three* Banks having authorized issues were as Eollows on 31st December : —
Notes in Specie in
Circulation Reserve.
Hongkong & Shanghai Banking
Corporation..................$45,332,993 $33,500,000
Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China .................. 14,587,808 5,000,000
MercantileBankoEIndia, fjimited 1,459,875 550,000
$61,380,676 $39,050,000
12. The rate oE exchange for the Estimates was taken at 2/3 whereas the average rate for purposes oE conversion in the Treasury books was 2/4.
0. Mel. Messer. Treasurer.
7th May, 1925.
I...”
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“...31st.
4. In this year five names were added to the list of girls under bond to report themselves periodically to the Secretary tor Chinese Affairs. The name of one girl who ran away was struck off the list. The number of names on the list on December 31st was 13.
5. The number of persons reported by Hongkong residents to the Po Leung Kuk as missing during the year was 34 of whom 12 were found, as compared with 49 and 24 in 1924. The total number of persons reported missing including reports from China and Macao was 39 of whom 12 were found, as compared with 30 out of 63 in 1924.
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 15,082 (women 9,509, girls 1,570 and boys 4,003) as compared with 19,622 in 1924.
7. The record of the occupations of the female emigrants over 16 years of age shows that out of a total of 9,509, 3,170 were going,to...”
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“...— C 3
(/)) From Penang—One. prostitute was repatriated during tlie year.
(c) From Perak—2 girls taken, into Perak for immoral purpose were returned at their own request and handed back to their relatives.
(China was sent hack to her husband.
.10. Prosecutions under the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance undertaken by this office number 7 with 5 convictions as compared with 7 cases and 4 convictions in 1924.
(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 87% of the number in 1924.
(«) Banca—The assisted emigration tio B.anca continued during the year. There was only about 40% of that in comparison with 1924.
(It) Deli, Sumatra—The Assisted Emigration to Deli this year was the same as in 1924.
■(c) British North Borneo, Sandakan and Miri—The figures for 1925 were about 95% of those in 1924, but the total is still below...”
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“...one hundred and eight-nine (189) in 1924, were sent to their homes in the usual .way. All the charges incurred were refunded by Messrs. Gibb, Livingston and Company, the agents in Hongkong of the British North Borneo Government.
14. Repatriation of assisted emigrants: —
(«) From Banco.—Eighty-three (88) assisted coolies rejected by the medical officer were repatriated from Banca, as compared with three hundred and ninety-three (393) in 1924. All the charges incurred were refunded by the Holland China Trading Company by whom the coolies were recruited.
((I) From Batik Papon.—No assisted coolie rejected by the medical officer was repatriated from Balik Papan. as last year.
15. Redemption of Assisted Emigrants.-—Thirteen (13) applications of this nature were received as compared with twenty (20) in 1924.
(ft) Banca.—Seven (7) applications were received, and all the men were repatriated and handed back to their relatives.
(b) Singapore.—One (1) application was received and forwarded to the Protector...”
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“...was that of the Oil Can Makers, who in addition to demanding an increase of 30% wages also required the masters to contribute 1 cent on every oil can made to their guild funds, (The Luen Fuk Union). The strike which lasted from February to May and was not unaccompanied by violence and intimidation was finally broken by the engagement of new hands from Canton and Macao.
From April onwards reports of violent and inflammatory speeches were received almost daily, the texts being the oppression of China and China’s labouring masses by the “Imperialism” and “capitalism” of the foreigner aqd his “hunting dogs”, the “compradore” class and the general colour being “Red” of the hue associated with the “Third International” The Hoi Yuen (Seamen’s Union) and the Head Labour Union (Association of Labour Unions) took a very prominent part in this agitation.
Early in the month of June labour representatives from Canton and a few from Shanghai were addressing labour organisations in the Colony with a view...”
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“...— c 17 —
Kuomingtang armies advancing from Swatow and all hesitation on this score was turned automatically into stimulus. Canton became the seat of a violently radical government, claiming to be the National Government of China and working in the closest harmony with Moscow.
On the 15th June ten representatives from the Head Labour Union and Hoi Yuen went to Canton, where they Jiad an interview with Liu Chung Hoi, a powerful member of the new Government with strong communist views. It was reported that this man had instructed the Hongkong delegates to set a general strike in motion. Financial assistance was promised also support, food and shelter to all strikers coming to Canton. 24 hours after this meeting many secret meetings were reported to be taking place in unions and Boarding Houses in the Colony. Rumours were set about to the effect that pitched battles would take place in Hongkong and that the Colony would be burnt.to the ground. People were advised to leave the Colony at once'...”
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“...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 girl’s willingness before giving consent to either adoption or marriage.
In addition to the annual Committee...”
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“...C 52 —
18 women and girls were committed, under warrant, and 177 were admitted without warrant. Of the remainder 29 were lost children, 15 were accompanied by parents or guardians, and 20 were maid-servants or “mui tsai” who had left their masters or mistresses.
On leaving the Kuk 123 women and girls were restored to husbands or other relatives, 29 were sent to charitable institutions in China, 33 were, given in adoption, 3 married, 47 released (8 released under bond), 19 sent to the Italian Convent and 5 died. The number of inmates remaining in the Kuk on December 31st was 61.
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. Lau Yuk Wan and Lo Chap San. The balance to the credit of the Society at the end of the year was $7,082 as compared with $8,793 at the end of 1924.
The institution was visited monthly by Justices...”
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“...of Vessels entered at each
Port.
IV. —Number, Tonnage, and Crews of Vessels cleared at each
Port.
V.—Number, Tonnage, and Crews of Vessels of each Nation entered.
VI.—Number, Tonnage, and Crews of Vessels of each Nation cleared.
VII.—Junks entered from China and Macao.
VIII.—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.)
XVIII.—Return of Immigration (Quinquennial Periods.)
XIX.—Return of Male and Female Emigrants returned.
XX.—Vessels Registered.
XXL—Vessels struck off the Register.
XXII.—Comparison in Number and Tonnage of Vessels in Foreign Trade entered and...”
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“...tons or 16T per cent. This decrease in ships, and tonnage is due to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
Foreign Ocean-going vessels have decreased by 1,911 ships and by 2,243,124 tons or 22'3 per cent in numbers and 131 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
British River Steamers have decreased by 3,062 ships with a decrease in tonnage of 1,069,546 tons or 43’0 per cent in numbers and 16'3 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
Foreign River Steamers show a decrease of 1,052 ships with a decrease in tonnage of 387,469 tons or 45'4 per cent in numbers and 46'1 per cent in tonnage. This decrease in ships and tonnage is due to the recent strike and the present Boycott in South China.
In Steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in Foreign trade there is a decrease of 2,445 ships with a decrease in tonnage...”
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