180
18. From this we find that in 1897 the Import trade was stimulated from Europe and distant countries, (Class I), to the extent of 27 ships of 78,085 registered tons, carrying to and through the port, an increase of 90,388 tons of cargo.
19. In Class II, on the other hand, we find a decrease of 31 ships of 49,463 registered tons, but an increase of 12,534 tons of cargo. The decrease in ships was notably under the heading of "India and Straits Settlements," and the increase of cargo under " Australia," "Japan," and "Java".
20. Class III differed from either I or II showing an increase of 146 ships, with a decrease of 146,826 registered tons, and a decrease of 135,924 tons of cargo. The increase of ships was made up in the "China Coast," "Formosa," and "Hainan and Tonquin " routes, while the decrease of tonnage and cargo comes under "Cochin-China” and Siam ".
(:
21. Turning next to Exports, we find under Class I an increase of 71 ships of 189,243 registered tons, with 35,256 tons of cargo.
22. In Class II, a decrease of 30 ships of 89,730 registered tons, but an increase of 276,751 tons of cargo, principally under "Australia," Japan," and "Java".
23. In Class III an increase of 99 ships, a decrease of 212,863 registered tons, and an increase of 180,959 tons of cargo.
24. The result of this analysis is shortly summed up in the words "fuller ships," while the deficiency, where it occurs, is accounted for in the shortness of the Southern Rice Crop, or the diver- gence of the rice trade, probably to India, and the restrictions on trade with India which were the inevitable result of the Plague.
25. Looking a little further, and comparing with 1896, we find, with regard to the ocean-going ships, that there was an increase in the numbers of ships, and a decrease in the total tonnage, indicating smaller ships, together with this there was an increase in the total cargo carried, indicating fuller ships.
26. Smaller ships probably means lessened expenses, (dues, &c. being paid on Register tons), and fuller ships, increased earnings, and these two, taken together, point fairly conclusively to a good year for shipping, notwithstanding the lowness of freight at one period.
27. During the year, 9,944 vessels of European construction, aggregating 12,124,599 registered tons, carried 7,144,737 tons, made up as follows:-
Import cargo, Export do.,
Transit do.,
Bunker Coal shipped,
.2,743,061
.2,103,215
..1,852,462
445,999
Total,.....7,144,737
28. The total number of tons carried was therefore 59% of the total registered tonnage, or 78% exclusive of River Steamers, and was apportioned as follows:-
Imports,-
British Ships, Foreign do.,
.1,521,568
.1,221,493
2,743,061
Exports,-
British Ships, Foreign do.,
.........1,154,883
948,332
2,103,215
Transit,-
British Ships, Foreign do.,
..1,115,706
736,75€
1,852,462
Bunker Coal,-
British Ships, Foreign do.,
261,242
184,757
445,999
Total,........ .7,144,737