BIG DECREASE IN COLONY'S TRADE.
LOW DOLLAR. CAUSES HEAVY FÁLLING-OFF IN IMPORTS LAST YEAR,
POOR SHOWING" BY THE UNITED KINGDOM IN BOTH
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
Hong Kong trade figures for the nine months unded. December 31, 1030, have now been issued by the statistical branch of tho Imports and Exports Department The totals for this period are included in the December inue of the official Trade Returns, it not being the intention of Goverment to publish a special volume covering the uncompleted statistical year of 1930.
The returns show that during the period April-December im- poris of merchandise into the Dolony amounted to a value of $155,404,500 as compared with 8443,078,342 in the corresponding period of 1924, while exports totalled $380,824,978 as compared with $380,183,720. The year 1924 has been selected for purposes of com- parison, innarauch as it was the Inst completed year in which trado statistics were collected by Government.
EXPORTS NOT STIMULATED BY
EXCHANGE.
At first sight the 1030 figures would appear to compared very favourably with those of the year, 1024, which was above the average, but it should be noted that in 1930 H.K. dollar valuos wore entirely Getitious and out of all proportion to the volume of merchandise hand- led in the port. Silver slumped dianstrously during the year, and the sterling exchange value of the H.K. dollar averaged only s. '3ld." over the nine months of 1930, as compared with 28. 4. in the corn responding period of 1924.
In some quarters it was anticipat- ed that a low value dollar would
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1931.
STERLING PAID SALARIES.
GOVT, EMPLOYEES, TO BE PAID ON NEW BASIS.
MATTER TO BE REVISED
FROM TIME TO TIME.
We have been officially informed that, subject to formal approval by the Legislative Council of tho neces- sary amendment of its original resolution on the revised salaries scheme, the Secretary, of State bas approved the proposal to
∙pay storling salaries, with effect from January 1, 1931, as to anehalf at the rate of one dollar equals 176d. and as to orie-half at the Treasury rate for the current month.
The Secretary of State adds that it should be made clear that in view of the uncertainty of the dallar exchange, it will be necessary for the Government to review the question of the exchange rate for sterling paid salaries from time to time,
CHINESE NEW YEAR PIANO AND SONG
FAIR.
TO BE HELD IN SAME LOCALITY.
JERVOIS STREET TO BE
KEPT CLEAR.
The Chinese community in general will no doubt be pleased to hear that the annual Chinese New Year fair will be once again hold at the same alte in the city and not in the Reclamation at Wandai as at first 1.
arranged.
An official announcement to this effect was released yesterday by the police authorities stating that the Inspector General of Police has appointed tha following places where the fair can be held:
Bonham Steind. Mau Wa Lone. Hillier Street. Meroer Strest.
A portion of Wellington Street from Queen's Road to Pottinger Street is also available for those who sell cards and other small
DOOR HANDLE IN DEAD Imports, Exports.
MAN'S HAND. April..
.838,405,909 835,431,719 May
64,305,387 38,284,907 LIGHT ON BARRACKS SHOTS articles. Juno
39,699,830 32,143,276
DRAMA. July 50,878,877 34,305,347 August 49,133,187 40,130,190 September 50,772,414 October.... 43,108,170 November 55,110,372 December 50,110,160
39,207,352 The inquiry into the shooting 46,594,831 tragedy at Mooltan Barracks, Tid 12,000,003 worth, was oponed last month. 48,509,020 Maurice Archibald Bell (93), a
Total...8455,404,509 8350,824,273
Principal Countries. The chief importing and export- countries during 1930 were as follows:-
IMPORTS.
1000.
stimulate the export trade of the Ching 8121,545,082
Colony, but this end does not seem
to have been achieved, the ratioJapan
of exports to imports being less than if 1924.
T
".
World wholesale prices dropped heavily but the benofit to Hong Kong and China as importers was rendered practically nugatory anainly on account of the decreased purchasing power of silver, and the exhaustion of Chind following years of civil strife.
Heavy Falling-on. The following comparative tables abow at a glance the heavy falling- uff in the actual trade of the Colony during the nine months of 1930 48 compared with the ning months' figures of 1924, the sterling equiva jente, at the prevailing rates of exchange, being given in brackets:
IMPORTS.
1994.
850, 109, 120
N. East
Indies $17,071,433
United
Kingdom
843,197,042
Indo-China Indo-
$30,028,311
U.S.A. $32,052,248 Siam 826,072,050-
Germany $21,078,088
Straits $10,736,510
India $7,192,238
*South China trade
ed in 1924.
Total
British
$443,078,349 (£62,840,323)
1930. 8465,164,500 (£20,889,804)
EXPORTS.
1930.
Empire
China $180,002,237 8101,886,349 $76,002,393 (£12,490,028) (£5,168,282) Indo-China U.K. $62,530,466 843,197,042
(£2,834,806)
* EXPORTS: 1924.
$31,510,041
Straits $23,618,077
1930.
'Tota!
$380,133,720
(£45,341,251) (£23,418,503)
British
Empire
.
U.K:
(£7,460,133)
837,831,844
(£4,514,821) $4,570,776
(£548,182)
$356,824,278 Siam 817,598,777
Japan $14,710,606
843,135,113.8.4 $11,876,400 (£2,830,742)
82,071,403 Philippines
(£194,099)
It should here bo noted that in 1024 no statistics were available of the import trade from South Chinn, Kwang Chow Wan and Macno. These three countries constitute a very important source of supply to Hong Kong, and during the nine months of 1030 the total import of merchandise was valued at ap- proximately $58,000,000. :-
Presuming the import trade from South China, Kwang Chow Wan and Macao in 1924 to approximate the 1930 Aguro; the actual reading of the comparative import figure would be:-
1930, $455,040,589
1024. *$401,300,214
(£60,802,302) (£29,980,804)
Against this has to be set the fact that 1930 world wholesale prices represented a decreas of about 25 per cent, as compared with 1994; but ovon so the volume of trade waè : 'very substantially less than in 1924.
United Kingdom Suffers. The United Kingdom figures suffered in common with others, the percentage of the total import trade recorded, too, falling from 14.11 per cent. in 1994 to 9.48 per cent, in 1030 Exports from Hong Kong to. the United Kingdom have never reached any great proportion, the percentage figure in 1924 being 1.2- per cont as compared with "last year's figure of 83 per cent.
The British Empire as a whole accounted for 17.26 per cont. of the mirport trade in 1972 na sämpyred. with 22.03 per cent in 1994 and 12.09 per cont. of the exporta as compared with 0.00 per cent, in 1924.
Imports fluctuated from $38 millions to 850 millions a month, and exports from 832 millions to $49 millions, as shown in the follow, ing table:m
80,774,879
1924. *835,040,720
(£8,922,505) $00,788,005 (£7,250,230)
801,030,147 (£7,450,079)
The above arrangements, it may La interesting to add, differ from the past year in only one, respect Jervois Street is not included this year. This will be the last time
RECITAL.
MR. AND MRS, BOWES-SMITH
AT HELENA MAY......
The musicale given at the Helena¦ May Institute yesterday took the form of a piano and song resital by Mr. and Mra A. M. Bower Smith. Mr. C. Dudley Bartlett ao-I companied the singers' second group of songs
Mr. Bowes-Smith, opened the' programme. He always appears nervous when he just sits down at the piano, even when playing the Chopin' he loves so well, so that tho hesitancy which to some extent mar...” red the opening impromptu in F sharp, was in no way discouraging to those who are not strangers to these regular Helena May concerts. What I have before called the feminine quality of his playing was very apparent in this, and the following picces, the Valso in C sharp major. The Valse in A flat which followed was played with more firmness after a very tentative. opening. Of his second Chopin group the well-known prelude in O minor had obviously been carefully studied and was very sensitively and charmingly rendered, the middle part being particularly
which followed gained him a big burst of applause. For his final group Mr. Bowos-Smith chose two compositions of Moszkowski and two. of Rachmaninoff, all of which were well rendered, the prelude in G sharp minor of the latter gaining. special applause.
SHOE SALE
ALL SIZES
January Clearance
OF
ODDMENTS IN ALL SIZES
FOR
ALL OCCASIONS
IN
trooper in the Royal Scote Greys. tint the fair will be held in the beautiful. The Ballade in G minor LADIES, KIDDIES and INFANTS SHOES,
was found shot dead, and Jack City as in future a new site will Healey, a civilian barler, of Fabers have to be decided upon owing to town, near Ludgiyrshall, died in hospital from a bullet wound. The the congestion involved in case of inquest was on Bell, a Glasgow an outbreak of fire. man, who was due to go on draft for India.
Lance Corporal David Daverock, of the Royal Scots Greys, who first found Bell's body in the barber's shop, said the man was lying face downwards, and there was a mark on his jaw.
I saw a small case and some papers lying either on a chair or on the floor," he continued. A re- volver was lying on the floor of the shop, which was lighted.
Man in Civilian Clothes,
202,539,450 A juror: Was there any sign of (£7,169,133) a struggle 7-The only thing I saw like that was the papers littering the floor. They looked like the 858,572,302 folded letters which a soldier would (£6,085,978) carry in his breast pocke
30,312,935
Trooper John Pollock, of the (£4,331,074) Scots Greys, said that he was walk- 832,208,124 ing past the ordnance block when he (£3,848,640) aaw a man in civilian clothes come 811,710,801 from the bathhouse door and go (£1,396,757) into an office. He entered and $10,803,335 found Healey groaning on the (£1,203,070) floor. $12,845,230
INTERPRETER WHO WAS
DISMISSED:
SUCCESSFUL APPEAL TO
HIGHER AUTHORITY.
Mr. Loung Tun Sheung, a second class interpreter in the Hong Kong Government service, has been suc.. ceaful in his appeat for reinstate ment in his position from which be was dismissed after investigation of three charges of demandng money from applicants for prostitutes'
licones.
The investigation was carried out by a committee of the Executive Council. In February, 1933, the findings of the committee stated that Leung was guilty on two of
I have not hoard Mra Bowes- Smith sing for over a year and was much looking forward to enjoying once more her delightful easy voice production. I was a little disap pointed in the first group of Ger man songa none of which appeared to be quite in her genre The second. Meinem Kinde," It Strauss, did not seen to suit her voice and yet there were notes and phrases in it which were perfect in tono enunciation. The voice that I had been looking forward to hear- ing came back after the staccato opening
of "Standchen," Ꭱ. Bowes-Smith to me until I heard Strauss, but it was not really Mrs.
her sing the charming "Page's Road Sang" of Ivor Novello in her
delight to listen to. "Love's Quarrel," Cyril Scott, did not seam to be quite in her compass but tho last phrase was exquisite.
E.M.B.
Major Thomas Parr RAM.C., (£1.532,662) said that Trooper Bell had a bullet the three charges preferred against second group, which it was a sheer]
not record
wound in the side of his face..
It struck me at first that it was a case of suicide, but then I noticed that he was holding a door knob in →1924.
his hand. The knob hail como off 8235,770,804 the door of the barber's saloon. (£29,120,301) "I found four penetrating bulleted from the service.
wounds in the body, two of which 832,850,234 would certainly have killed the man (£3,805,204) instantly." $18,017,400
him, and they recommended that he should be sipended, pending the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonios that he be dismiss
Group Figures.
(£2,248,081)
$15,369,692
(£1,833,150)
$10,464,742
(£2,321,576) Gold
leaf, 814,208,208 bars, and in- (£1,604,039)
gota
$10,813,172 (£1,280,000)
The principal groups of trade during the nine months of 1930 were as follows:-
Animals
Imports. Exporta
(000's omitted)
8,070
332
Materials 6,169. 4,594
Building
Leung appended by petition under Colonial regulations to the Beuret ury of State, and he was informed In November last that his appeal Imports. Exports. had succeeded and he was therefore reinstated in the service. He then applied for an examination by a 120,007 37,720,014 medical board for leave to resign Gold coins
810,017 7,398,003
on grounds of ill-health. The ap- Silver bars &
ingots104,585,113 38,214,010
plication was granted, and he bus Silver dollars 39,405,120 9,738,024 been allowed to retire on pension, Other treasure 2,088,148 3,407,527 After 27 years' service. He bas been granted three months leave on full Total...$141,111,009 $96,404,478
pay prior to retirement.
December Figures. The figures for December were as follows, the November totals ap pearing in brackets:—
Chemicals... 4,439 2,410 Merchandise
Chinese
Dyeing
IMPORTS.
859,110,100 (855,110,372)
84,883,548 ($1,232,455)
Total...883,793,708 ($36,342,827)
12,438 Treasure
4,194
medicine 17,714
Materials 5,204 Foodstuffs........ 160,401
139,703
6,241
1,351
3,460
2,180
3,017
3,287
13,008
1,300 Merchandise 1,010 13,657 Treasure."
24,201 18,657
n 1,653
1,018
Fuels Hardware Liquor Machinery Manures Metals Minerals
6,295 4,707 29,750 20,129
Nuts, etc. Dila, ste Paintedes 1,400
· Piece Goods 78,084 Tobacco LIM
7,287 Tressure. 141,111, Vehiclei
1,700 Wearing
Bags
Apparel 4,083
SUNDRIES.
Electrical
0,682 Apparatus 4,041 Hides ............ 1,708
Leather****
·Matches th Paper D
3,E61
3,718
6,180
EXPORTS.
ALLEGED PIRACY.
TWELVE MEN AGAIN IN
COULT.
Programme: The programme was as follows: 1-PIANO SOLOB.
Impromptu in F'sharp
Valse in O sharp minor
Valse in A flat 2-GERMAN SONGS,
Chopin,
Chopin.
Chopin.
Allerséchén R. Strauss. Meinem Kinde... R. Strauss, Ständchen
B. Straues.
3.-PIANO SOLDS.
Quilter.
Etude in E.............. Chopin. Prelude in O minor... Chopit. Ballade in G minor... Chopin, 4.--English SonOA.
Fair House of Joy... Page's Road Song
Ivor Novello, Love's Quarrel
Cyril Scott, Adonais...... Landon Ronald. 5.-PIANO SOLOS,
W
Prée du Berceau...Moszkowski, Scherzo-Etude ... Moszkowski. Prelude in G sharp minor
Rachmaninoff.
Prelude in G minor
Rachmaninoff.
"God Save The King,"
Further evidenco was given at Central Magistracy yesterday when
The next concert will he on the 12 men who are drarged with an
Thursday, February 5, under the not of piracy on a junk on the high-patronage of Lady Feel. 80s were brought before Mr. R. E.
$48,509,020 ($42,000,903)
$9,503,845 (88,794,041) Lindselt,TM Total..:858,073,774 (850,884,031)
Mr. Hin Shing Lo, instructed by Messrs. Wilkinson & Crist, appear Ed for the defence of all twelve men. 1,322 The principal countries from The master of the junk, who had 66,000 which imports were recorded were given evidence at a previous hear 7,172 as follow, the figures for Novembering, was cross-examined yesterday. 08,104 being given in brackets-
He said he knew the sens between 607 China ...819,090,032 (814,318,848) Hong Kong and Plug Hoi well but Japan $7,747,214 (87,469,473). had never seen the defendants be 8,300 N. Enst
fore. He did not think they were Indies 87,048,740 (88,697,900) fishermen from the fact that on one United
bost no net was found while on the Kingdom $4,304,170 (85,210,540) other there was only one not 7,243
Indo-
The scoreman of the junk gave China 2,081,607 (83,830,560) evidence of having Ben the up 2,872
Siam .............. 62,613,248 (31,270,072)proach of the two alleged pirate 1,070 1,709 Germany... $2,060,502 (82,488,000) | junka and be described their sub- 4,040 India 81,470,500 (81,801,134) sequent attack when, the alleged 6,058 Straits. 81,177,414 (81,010,770) | pirates opened fire on them and
The vesportsen of the total import called
Luman then to do Tater
ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY.
ASSAILANTS FLEE.
Ho So, a married woman, who resides at 47, Peel Street, 1st floor, has reported to the police that she was at the above address with hor amah at 1.15 p.m. yesterday, when someone knocked at the stair door and a voice called out “I have come to rent a'cubicle.”
The amah opened the door and a man who had been to look at a cubicle two weeks proviously enter- ad followed by five others,
Spa and the amah were at one
Imports and exports of treasure founded by United Kingdom-two-gleamers appeared one consized, and the mon then produced were considerably under-declared fell from 8.22 per cent in Novem and the pirates sailed off. They a toy pistel and a file dagger. She by the local banking institutions bor to 7.74 per cent, in December wore pursued and taken into cus during the nine months of 1930, as compared with an average month tolly.
and the following revised statemently figure of 9.49 por cont, since After further evidence by police has now been prepared for that April and 13 per cent in 1924. Exothoor the case was adjourned. It period
porte amounted to .79 per cent, as was indicated that witnesses from compared with 88 per cent in the Hingang and the HM.S. Somme (Continued at fast af next column.) | and 1.2 per cent. 1924.
I will be called at future hearings,
struggle and called out "Save life.!! The people on the second floor heard
a noise and came out. The men
then released her and the amah, and ran away,INA GE
She gave chase and saw the men disappearing up Hollywood Road,
NEVER before have such fine quality shoes been
offered for so little. Most value-wise womeh will buy several pairs during this drastic clearance, The assortment of styles and colours is very large.
LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.
Columbia Y RECORDS
DE249-OLAPHAM AND DWYER ON PHOTOGRAPHY, DB146 A WARM CORNER.
SLAUGHTER RECORD
-9592—A FEW DRINKS DB266-LAUGHING WIFE AND
"THE CLARINET DB0-TOMMY HANDLEY CALLING 5685--FOURTH FORM AT ST. MICH/
...LESLIE HENSON
CHAS. PENROSE T. HANDLEY
ILL HAT
The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.
བྷསྨཱ'' བྷནྟེ
''
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