165
The total Revenue collected by the Harbour Department during the year was $274,008.78 as against $302,787.76 (including $2,220 collected under the Sugar Convention Ordinance) collected in the previous year, showing a decrease of $28,778.98:—
1. Light Dues,
2. Licences and Internal Revenue,
3. Fees of Court and Office,
4. Miscellaneous Receipts,
$ 77,722.04
61,748.33
134,533.21
5.20
Total,...
$274,008.78
(b.) INDUSTRIES.
During 1906 the decline in the selling prices of Sugar continued as the local refineries had to face keen competition in all markets. The amount of sugar refined was also much less than in 1905.
The demand for Yarn was most unsatisfactory during the greater part of 1906, and the local Cotton Mill worked on an average only 4 days a week during the whole year, with very disappointing results.
There was a strong demand throughout the year for Cement, and the local factory was kept fully employed. Two more rotary kilns are now being added at the "Green Island" Company's works at Hok Un which will bring the output up to over 400 tons a day
The profits of the Rope Factory at Kennedy Town were slightly higher than in 1905, but the business was restricted both by the high price of raw material at Manila and the rise in exchange.
The Engineering and Shipbuilding trade remained normal during the first half of 1906, but the disastrous typhoon of the 18th September which wrought great havoc among the Shipping in harbour at the time, kept the Dockyards working at full pressure for the re- mainder of the year.
Four hundred and forty-nine (449) vessels of 1,063,454 tons and 70 launches, lighters, &c., were docked and repaired, compared with 412 vessels of 975,174 tons and 43 lighters, launches, &c., in 1905. Of the vessels damaged, sunk, or stranded in the typhoon all, with three exceptions, were repaired locally. Of the three exceptions, one was sold to Japanese owners in her damaged condition, one has been salved and is awaiting contracts for repair, while the third still remains stranded, all endeavours to get the vessel off, having, so far, failed.
Forty-two Steam-launches and other vessels with an aggregate tonnage of 7,634 were built during the year.
A new and important industry, the Hongkong Milling Company, situated at Junk Bay in the New Territories, was inaugurated at the end of the year, the premises including reclama- tion, erection of buildings and installation of machinery, having been completed in a period of less than twenty months. The mill, which is of the very latest design and is under European management, is capable of turning out 8,000 bags of flour a day. The demand for the Hour is far in excess of this amount and it is contemplated to double the capacity of the mill during
1907.
(c.) FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat-population of Hongkong supports itself by deep- sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. The villages of Aberdeen, Stanley, Shaukiwan, and many others in the New Territories are largely dependent upon this industry for their prosperity. Fresh water fish is imported from Canton and the West River. There are oyster beds of considerable value in Deep Bay.