245
On the 31st December, 1903, there remained as follows:---
No.
of Cases.
Approximate Weight.
Jbs.
Gunpowder, privately owned,
5,819
129.555
Do., Government owned,
2,146
108,502
Cartridges, privately owned,
1,520
345,625
Do., Government owned,
19
1,900
Explosive Compounds, privately owned,
42
5.953
Do.,
Government owned,
334
49,952
Non-explosives, privately owned,
Do.. Government owned,
Total,.....
9,880
641,487
NEW TERRITORY.
(Fifth year of British Administration.)
23. The Station at the Island of Cheung Chau was opened in September, the one at Tai O, in the Island of Lantao, in October, 1899, that at Tai Po in Mirs Bay, on board the Police Steam Launch, in January, 1900, that in Deep Bay, on board the Police Steam Launch, in November, 1901, and that at Sai Kung in April, 1902.
From 1st January to 31st December, 1903-8,674 Licences, Clearances, Permits, &c. were issued at Cheung Chau, 3,157 at Tai O, 3,817 at Tai Po, 4,202 at Deep Bay, and 4,021 at Sai Kung.
The Revenue collected by this Department from the New Territory during 1903 was $15,718.75.
GENERAL.
24. Captain RUMSEY having left the Colony for good, it devolves upon me to father this Report, which deals with a period during three quarters of which be was in charge of the Harbour, I may, perhaps, be permitted to express my own personal regret at, and my sense of the loss the Colony has incurred through, bis departure.
(ii.) The building of the much-needed new Harbour Office has now been com- menced, and it is to be hoped that the work will be pushed on as quickly as possible, as the work of the Department is seriouly hampered by the restricted view of the Harbour from the Office. But it is scarcely probable that the new Office can be opened much before another two years have passed.
(iii) During the year arrangements have been made to light Cap-shui-mun, and this light will, I trust, be established before this Report appears in print. There would seem to be little prospect, however, of immediate improvement in the light- ing of the Eastern and Western approaches to the Harbour, by the shifting of Cape D'Aguilar Light to Green Island, and the Green Island Light to Cape Collin- son, as approved in 1900, owing to the greater necessity for other Public Works, which are absorbing all the available funds. It is to le hoped that it will be possible to carry out these greatly needed improvements before long, Green Island light being so inefficient in its present position, and Cape D'Aguilar light having been lying idle for over seven years now. This latter light cost the Government £2,914 about thirty years ago, and is in as good condition now as it was when it was first lit in 1874.
(iv.) The size of vessels trading to and from the Colony continues to increase, as well as their numbers, and the problem as to where to put them is becoming very serious. The deep water area of the Harbour is small, and, owing to constant reclamations and silting up of certain parts of the Harbour, this area is continually contracting. Something will have to be done in the near future to provide accom- modation for the shipping, and the question is "What"?