1887-1903
HONG KONG, 1901.
11
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.
The following tables, as showing the relative importance of the shipping conducted under the various national flags, will be of interest:
Nationality of Vessels. Entered. Cleared. Vessels. Tons. Vessels. Tons. American 155,667 147,711 Austrian 53 128,483 51 122,632 Belgian 9 12,407 9 12,407 British 3,360 4,615,022 3,355 4,598,617 Chinese ... Chinese junks 138 17,736 140 19,113 ... 1,631,272 1,631,272 17,658 1,634,896 17,658 1,634,896 Corean Danish Dutch 12 25,903 12 25,903 French 29 40,872 29 40,872 German 328 243,588 328 238,427 Italian 844 1,242,642 843 1,239,967 Japanese 13 18,782 14 19,502 Norwegian 336 692,981 333 688,140 Portuguese 79 78,004 75 73,821 Russian 83 10,456 83 10,456 Siamese 4 8,797 4 8,797 Spanish 2 407 Swedish No flag outside the colony. Total... 24,687 9,014,955 23,056 8,892,918 Steam launches trading to ports 784 1 6,923 7 6,923 1 80 7 2,747 1,542 82,564 1,542 82,564(B.) INDUSTRIES.
During the year 1901 most of our local industries, which are chiefly carried on upon joint stock principles, were well employed throughout the year, with satisfactory results.
Cotton spinning by the local company was hampered by the plague. The results to original shareholders were not good, owing to the initial cost of the mill being higher than originally estimated. However, the capital was written down largely, and
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