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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
ment from the 1st January, 1907), as against $298,106 collected in the previous year, showing an increase of $50,193:
1. Light Dues 80,389.00 2. Licences and Internal Revenue... 116,122.40 3. Fees of Court and Office 151,746.30 4. Miscellaneous Receipts 42.40 Total $348,300.10(B.) INDUSTRIES.
During 1907 the price of refined sugars in the East still further declined, principally as a result of the lower cost of raw sugar, but also owing to the determined competition of Japanese refineries seeking to capture the local refineries' old established Chinese connections. The quantity of sugar refined in Hong Kong was however larger than for years past, and was disposed of in China and other markets, although at a loss in some instances, and on very small margins of profit in others. By the end of 1907 the strenuous competition from Japanese quarters had however, exhausted itself, and it is confidently expected by those best able to form an opinion that local industries will be able to maintain and improve their position.
The demand for yarn during 1907 was even more unsatisfactory than during the previous year, which was undoubtedly due to the failure of almost every yarn shop in the Colony. These failures threw a quantity of yarn on the market which had to be disposed of at a reduction of $20/25 per bale on the contract price. Owing to the large stocks on hand it was found necessary to decrease the output of the local cotton mill by reducing the number of spindles running, and during the last three months of the year "short time" was also resorted to.
Both exchange and the price of raw material have been in favour of the rope factory, enabling them to reduce their selling price to their customers to a lower limit than for some years. On the other hand the lower price induced a greater demand and the factory's turnover accordingly showed a fair increase.
No further additions have been made to the plant of the Cement Company, which with a good demand for cement has been kept continuously employed throughout the year.
The flour mills at Junk Bay were kept running continuously night and day, including many Sundays.
Four hundred and twenty-two (422) vessels of 1,001,001 tons and 112 launches, lighters, &c., were docked and repaired,