4
In the
The Opium Trade was far from prosperous during the past year. Bengal drug, owing to large stocks early in the season and a declining exchange in the latter half of the year, the business done, though considerable, was productive of loss to both importers and native dealers. The demand for Malwa was poor and disappointing, and the prices obtained left no margin for profit. Owing to the Formosan Government being practically the only buyer of superior Persian, the rates for this drug fell from $825 per picul, the opening quotation, to $640 per picul in the latter end of the
year.
As regards the trade in Indian Cotton yarn, the year under review shows a decidedly marked improvement over the previous twelve months.
The Imports to Hongkong and Shanghai, which showed a shrinkage of close upon 60 per cent. in 1900, increased again over 100 per cent. during the past twelve months, whilst sales in Hongkong showed an excess of 45,715 bales and those in Shanghai of 69,083 bales.
A great and important movement has taken place which has opened the whole of the markets of inland China to the world. Manufacturers on the spot will cer- tainly be unable, at least for some time, to meet the greatly increased demand which will thus be occasioned; and in the meantime India may fairly hope to reap some share of the harvest, more especially if Lekin-a veritable millstone round the neck of this trade-is effectually removed.
The following figures are of interest :------
COMPARATIVE TABLES OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS AND REPORTED SALES OF INDIAN GREY YARN EFFECTED IN HONGKONG AND SHANGHAL DURING THE YEARS 1876 To 1901.
Imports
to
Hongkong
Direct shipments
from India to Shanghai and Japan.
5
fact that steam launches trading to ports outside the Colony have been included this year, whereas in former years they have been returned separately.
There were 45,349 arrivals of 9,681,203 tons, and 45,171 departures of 9,644,181 tons.
Of British Ocean-going tonnage, 2,917,780 tons entered, and 2,897,200 tons cleared.
Of British River Steamers, 1,697,242 tons entered, and 1,701,417 tons cleared, making a grand total of British tonnage of 9,213,639 tons entering and clearing.
Of Foreign Ocean-going tonnage, 2,637,552 tons entered, and 2,69,902 tons cleared.
Of Foreign River Steamers, 48,545 tons entered, and 49,503 tons cleared, making a grand total of Foreign tonnage of 5,345,430 tons entering and clearing.
Of Steam Launches trading to ports outside the Colony, 82,564 tous entered, and 82,564 tons cleared.
Of Junks in Foreign Trade, 1,631,272 tons entered, and 1,634,896 tons cleared.
Of Junks in Local Trade, 666,248 tons entered, and 668,699 tons cleared.
Thus-
British Ocean-going tonnage represented........
23
77
.30.1%
..17.2%
.27.5%
0.5%
0.9%
.....16.9%
6.9%
River
J
32
Total Imports to
China and
Year.
from India.
Japun.
Total Sales effected
in Hongkong.
Foreign Ocean-going
55
*
Total sales
in
River
"
Steam launches
27
19
Shanghai.
Junks (Foreign Trade)
*
Bales.
Bales.
Bates.
Bales.
Bales.
**
(Local Trade)
27
19
1876
17,598
17,598
6,758
1877
30,288
30,289
17,806
1878
37,799
37,799
30,031
1879
47,338
6,721
54,050
42,093
1880
60,265
3,980
64,245
49,571
1881
55,705
7,834
63,539
54,411
1882
82,286
6,458
88.744
77,945
1983
97,200
16,514
113,714
89,889
1884
137,075
12,858
149.933
112,450
1885
150,221
27,954
178,175
147,894
The actual number of ships of European construction (exclusive of river- steamers and steam-launches) entering the Port during 1901 was 682, being 337 British and 345 Foreign. Thus 682 vessels entered 3,570 times, and gave a total A comparison of the Shipping Returns for 1900 and tonnage of 5,555,332 tons. 1901 appears in the following table, from which it will be seen that though there was a large decrease in the number of vessels under the British flag (chiefly due to the withdrawal of some river steamers) there is an increase in British tonnage of 58,441 tons.
1886
175,291
50,089
225,380
142,974
1887
178,790
88,435
267,225
182,152
1888
187,368
90,242
277,610
182,198
1889
225,457
104,850
330,307
197,941
55,401
1890
209,689
167,353
877,042
187,330
104.016
1891
218,732
171,130
389,862
161,504
134,337
1892
237,569
186,305
423,874
219,189
154,386
1893
207,935
119,625
327,560
171.491
112,786
1894
237,260
146,121
381,381
169,117
129,938
1895
257,803
144,250
402,053
213,854
120,911
1896
256,367
244,376
500,743
215,375
151,935
1897
279,412
167,623
447,035
187,948
117,861
1898
308,978
168,467
477,445
221,144
147,678
1899
315,369
288,307
603,676
205,441
167,860
1900
153,610
110,409
264,019
152,277
125,796
1901
291,885
228,688
520,573
197,992
194,879
SHIPPING.
The total tonnage entering and clearing during the year 1901 amounted to 19,325,384 tons, being an increase, compared with 1900, of 880,248 tons, and the same in excess of any previous year. Of this increase, 165,128 tons are due to the
Total,46,365 | 17,247,023 46,201 17,825,300 663 578,286
The above table does not include junks in local trade, the business of which shows an increase of more than 700,000 tons over that of the preceding year.
The problem of providing berthing accommodation in the Harbour for the ever-increasing tonnage frequenting the Port is one that is getting more difficult each year, and though there may not be any very pressing necessity just at present, there can be no reasonable doubt that, with the constant advance in size, draught, and number, as well of Ships-of-War as of the Mercantile Marine, and of Foreign as well as British Shipping, the water space will soon be found inadequate.
1900.
1801.
Increase.
Decrease.
British,.
Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.
9,218.639
58,441 796 7,511 9,165,198 | 6,715
063 478,583 Foreign,
3,429 4,866,969 4,092 5,345,502 Junks in Foreiga 35,425 3,224,856 35,394 3,266,168
41,313 Trade,
31
32.
337