HONG KONG, 1906.
Import cargo 4,029,177 tons.
Export 2,163,344
Transit 2,878,360
Bunker Coal shipped 688,767
9,759,648 tons.
In imports there is an increase reported of 159,426 tons. In exports there is a decrease reported of 232,864 tons. In transit cargo there is a decrease reported of 537,058 tons. In bunker coal there is an increase of 24,349 tons.
The total reported import trade of the port for 1906 amounted to 22,408 vessels of 11,249,233 tons, carrying 7,372,075 tons of cargo, of which 4,493,715 tons were discharged at Hong Kong. This does not include the number, tonnage, or cargo of vessels in local trade.
Similarly, the export trade from the port was represented by 22,142 vessels of 11,203,844 tons, carrying 2,778,441 tons of cargo, and shipping 690,689 tons of bunker coal.
Seventy-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-five (76,725) emigrants left Hong Kong for various places during the year. Of these 63,830 were carried by British ships, and 12,895 by foreign ships; 134,912 were reported as having been brought to Hong Kong from places to which they had emigrated, and of these, 105,780 were brought in British ships and 29,132 by foreign ships.
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 $77,722.04 2. Licences and Internal Revenue 61,748.33 3. Fees of Court and Office 134,533.21 4. Miscellaneous Receipts 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 four 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