HONG KONG, 1906.
19
oakum picking, &c., the profit on the work done being $37,495.56.
The total strength of the police force for 1906 was Europeans, 133; Indians, 410; Chinese, 504; making a total of 1,047; as compared with 1,018 in 1905, exclusive in each case of the four superior officers and a staff of clerks and coolies. Of this force, an Assistant Superintendent, who also acted as Magistrate, and 19 Europeans, 85 Indians, and 44 Chinese were stationed in the New Territories during the year.
The force of district watchmen, to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum, was well supported by the Chinese during the year.
IX.-VITAL STATISTICS.
(A.) POPULATION.
The population of the Colony, according to the Census taken in 1901, was 283,975, while at the Census taken in 1906 it was 301,967 exclusive of New Kowloon and the Army and Navy Establishments. The estimated population at the middle of the year under review was 326,961, as follows:-
Non-Chinese Civil Community 12,174
Chinese population-
Hong Kong 191,815
Old Kowloon 51,600
New Kowloon (approximate)... 17,790
Floating population 42,550
Mercantile marine 2,375
306,130
Army (average strength) 3,959
Navy (average strength) 4,698
8,657
Total 326,961
New Kowloon was brought under the jurisdiction of the Sanitary Board in 1903, and its estimated population has accordingly been included. The population of the remainder of the New Territories according to the Census of 1901 was 85,011, making, when added to the present estimate, a grand total of 411,972.
At the Census taken in 1906 the actual number of members of the navy present in the Colony was 4,698.
(B.) PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION.
During the year under review considerable progress has been made in rendering existing domestic buildings rat proof, as a
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