Report No. 2 to London
Page 3.
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The Trade Statistics Department will reopen on November 1st and it is hoped to have reliable figures, covering goods imported and exported, available in the near future.
13.) INDUSTRY SECTION. Inspection of factory premises and in- terviews continue. The following industries are operating:
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Safety Latches; Faint and Enamel; Leather Tanning; Rubber shoes; Lime uarrying; Lative Craft Building and Repairs; Engineering Repair shops; Kerosene Distillery; Nails.
The
Further claims for plant and goods are being investigated. H.. & Vaumati Ferry is hampered by lack of vessels and those operating require repairs.
14.) HARBOUR SECTION. The Frinciple Ship's Surveyor has con- tinued his work of surveying ships in the harbour. These surveys have mainly been on ex Japanese motor junks prior to utilization for local trading. Repair work at the various Chinese and European owned dockyards was also inspected. The Yaumati Government dock- yard, which employs approximately 186 men has now got the cradle of the slipway in order and 4 Government launches have been slipped and repaired. Navigational lights have been inspected and crews relieved as necessary and Tong Ku Light has been temporarily re- established. In due course it is hoped that Green Island Light, Cheung Chau Light and South-West Lantau Light will also be re- established. It is also intended that various wrecks within the harbour precincts and in the Colony's waters which constitute dangers to navigation will be marked by lighted wreck buoys. It is hoped that the shipping office, when commercial shipping is resumed on full scale, will be able to compete with requirements up to pre-war standard. Vessels cleared numbered ten and total vessels entered was seven, and in addition a total of ninety-two men have been either signed on or off articles during October. There are now six "A" Class moorings and four "B" class moorings available for shipping. The Junk Office has continued its normal duties. Junk registration is still increasing and the number now registered is 280 Motor Junks, 290 Sailing Junks, 392 wishing Junks. The harbour Department is rapidly assuming its pre-war functions and in addition to issuing Notices to Mariners and conferring with Naval Authorities as regards berths and pilots, it has notified shipping and junks generally of safe routes through mine fields and other obstructions dangerous to navigation. The recent coal shortage affected shipping considerably and various ferry services had to curtail their traffic slightly. A committee has been set up to consider questions relating to the small ex-Japanese tonnage.
A Burgess, Colonel, (C.A.)
Supplies, Transport & Industry.