A460
KOWLOON FRONTIER DISTRICT
V
Railway
2 million litres over the quantity imported during the previous year. supplies to a value of $2.7 million were imported during the year and exceeded the value of those imported during 1935 by over $2 million. The major portion of these supplies were imported for the completion of the Canton Hankow Railway which was opened in July. There was a good demand for mineral lubricating oil, of which 4.2 million litres was imported as against 4.9 million litres during the previous year. The Shitow() Sugar Mill and the Saichuen (1) brewery, both of Canton, were enlarged in 1936, and machinery to a value of $2.3 million was imported for this purpose. A paner mill at Namshektow(), with a capacity of 50 tons a day, was completed during the year, the machinery being worth $1.4 million. The only export of importance which is sent abroad to any place other than Hongkong is duck feathers. There was a good demand for feathers from the United States of America and Australia throughout the year, with the result that exports rose from 11,000 quintals in 1935 to 14,000 quintals during the year. There was a slight reduction in the number of junks entered and cleared during 1936. On the other hand, power-vessels plying under Inland Waters Steam Navigation Regulat- ions showed a welcome increase of tonnage from 205,000 to 211,000 tons. The special fare train running between Canton and Kowloon was discontinued early in the year, but, in spide of this, the through passenger traffic on the Kowloon - Canton Railway for the year showed an increase of nearly half a million persons in comparison with the number carried during the previous year. On the 5th November 1936, by t arrangement with the Hongkong Government, planes belonging to the China National Aviation Corporation were permitted to land in British territory. This has proved of great benefit to aerial passenger and mail traffic to and from China and has made possible direct contact by aeroplane with many parts of the world. Owing to the quicker means of transport offered by rail and bus, there was a further reduction in the number of passengers carried by junks, and a decrease of 32,000 passengers was seen in comparison with the previous year. Exchange rates on Hongkong for Canton Small-coin and Hongkong dollars varied between Canton Small coin $140 and $113.2, Canton bank-notes $460 and $179.2, Canton bank-notes (legal tender) $193 and $128.5, to Hongkong $100. Sterling exchange on Hongkong was steady and only fluctuated between Is 3ğd. and 1s. 2 25/32d. to the Hongkong Treasury note. Exports of treasure from Hongkong were greatly reduced in comparison with the previous year, but still the figure of $143.8 million greatly exceeded the importations, which amounted to $72.7 million. The trade of the Colony of Hongkong showed an increase of 26.3 per cent as compared with that of 1935 in terms of local currency, although a decrease of 21.3 per cent is shown in terms of sterling. The value of imports, including cargoes originating in China, was $452.4 (:£28,5) million in 1936 as compared with $365 (£35.3) million in 1935: the declared value of exports was $350.9 (£22.1) million in 1936 as compared with $271 (£26.1) million in 1935.
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