144
cargo is accurately entered, but generally described in parcels, bundles, &c., the ship master or Agent on the other hand is aware of the bulk measurement carried cach voyage, and thus the more useful information can be obtained from their reports; but the information from these sources is somewhat approximate and it would appear at times to be inaccurate; as an instance I would point to one article, Flour; 6,320 tons is the total amount returned as the import of this article of food supply for 1893. There can be little doubt I think that this is a very much under-estimated return, for it appears from the Return of the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs of former years that the "export" of flour from Hongkong can be fairly estimated at at least 6,000 tons annually, and thus there would have been little or nothing left last year for local consumption. In the case of coal I am of opinion that the returns are more accurate than of any other article named (except perhaps Kerosine) and yet they would appear to be sometimes below the mark.
1893 inaugurated a new trade-Kerosine oil in bulk-for which there appears to be great possi- bilities judging by the fact that before the arrival of each oil steamer the Depôt is usually empty, but that as yet the bulk oil is largely used in the Colony is not apparent. This trade is returned with considerable accuracy. I may remark that these returns regarding trade compare very favourably- registered tonnage to cargo carried-with the latest or any other returns I have access to; the following tabular statement is explanatory.
TRADE OF THE PORT OF HONGKONG for 1893.
TONS.
Passengers
Bunker
Remarks.
Nos. of Ships.
Coal Discharged. Shipped. In Transit.
Shipped.
Total.
Registered carried. Tonnage.
British,
Foreign,..
3,400 1,669,760 852,151
2,602 1,048,150 633,004
River Steamers
(British.)
2,756 141,966 128,487
861,273 235,624 | 3,618,808
473,991 | 150,977 | 2,306,122
20,199 290,652
4,517,089
2,803,664
305,915
112,129
3,215,106 | 1,177,631
Total,
8,758 2,859,876 1,613,642 1,835,264 | 406,800 | 6,215,582
10,535,859 | 1,595,675
Junks in Foreign 47,197
Trade.
379,326 845,177
1,224,503
3,488,007
222,173
Total,
55,955 3,239,202 | 2,458,819 1,335,264 | 406,800 7,440,085
14,023,866 | 1,817,848
Junks in Local 9,886
Trade.
104,400 13,730
118,130
325,256
9,890
Per Choy Sang April 15th to June 29th.
Packages Hongkong 2,858. Prior to 15th April no returns. Packages In Transit 17,526.
18 Entries 21,492
tons no returns.
Grand Total,.... 65,841 3,343,602 2,472,549 1,335,264 | 406,800 7,558,215
14,349,122 | 1,827,738
14. During the year 8,758 European constructed vessels aggregating 10,535,859 tons carried 1,595,675 passengers, and 6,215,582 tons, the latter made up as follows:
Import cargo,
Export
Transit
""
27
Bunker coal shipped,
Total,...
...2,859,876 tons.
.1,613,642
>>
1,335,264
>>
406,800 *1
.6,215,582 29
IMPORTS (EXCLUDING RIVER TRADE).
Steamers,
.2,899 measuring 3,573,406 tons.
Sailing Ships,..............
93
83,671
22
Total,......2,992
3,657,077,,
imported.