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COMMUNICATIONS
of competency as master or engineer of all mechanized fishing vessels, launches or any other powered craft. These examinations, the standard of which is being gradually raised, are an important factor in ensuring a continued high standard of handling and safety precautions in small vessels. As a result, there have been far fewer accidents than might be expected considering the number of craft moving in the harbour and surrounding waters. The two large typhoon shelters at Yau Ma Tei and Causeway Bay were used to good purpose during the year and during typhoon Wanda some 7,800 craft took refuge in them (for details of typhoon Wanda see The Year's Weather at the end of this chapter). Strict control of these craft was necessary to obtain full use of anchorage or mooring space while at the same time ensuring that the fairways were left clear.
Locally moved cargoes are transported mainly by towed lighters or junks and a flourishing trade with Macau and adjacent Chinese ports exists. The principal imports from these ports consisted of building materials, vegetables and fruits, sea products and food- stuffs, while the chief exports were fertilizer and foodstuffs. Details of external trade cargo tonnage may be found in Appendix X. Internal trade in Colony waters takes place between the harbour area and outlying districts. Sand for building purposes is the chief commodity carried inwards, while outward bulk cargoes are mainly building materials, cotton bales, dangerous goods and foodstuffs.
The shipbreaking industry in Hong Kong, while still a flourishing major industry, showed a decline during the year due to the falling market price of scrap metal. However 34 ships which had out- lived their usefulness were broken up during the year, totalling 180,187 gross tons.
CIVIL AVIATION
The development of civil aviation in Hong Kong has kept pace with that elsewhere in the world and, by reducing the travelling time from Europe and the Americas to a matter of hours has made a significant contribution to the Colony's life and economy.
The first flight by an aircraft in Hong Kong took place in 1911, but it was not until some 20 years later that aviation began to show the first real signs of the growth that was to follow. The small grass airfield on the north shore of Kowloon Bay, which