1904-1919
HONG KONG 1908..
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ture during the year was 92.6° F. on the 16th July, and the lowest 43.7° F. on the 19th February.
The total rainfall for the year was 91.87 inches, as compared with an average of 77.31 inches during the ten preceding years. The wettest month was July, with 22.26 inches, the driest, November, with 0.15 inch. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 7.0 inches on the 23rd July, while no rain fell on 213 days of the year. The mean relative humidity of the atmosphere for the year was 79 per cent., as compared with an average of 77 per cent. during the ten preceding years. The average daily amount of sunshine was 5.2 hours, being 47 per cent. of the possible duration.
These figures are those recorded at the Observatory, Kowloon, and there is a very considerable divergence between that place and Hong Kong (low levels), the Peak District, or Tai Po (New Territories), both in rainfall, temperature, and humidity.
X.-POSTAL SERVICE.
The total receipts paid into the Treasury in 1908 by the Postal Department amounted to $601,967, from which sum $189,535 was transferred to other heads of General Revenue under which fees and duties are paid in postage stamps, which are now sold exclusively by the Post Office, leaving the sum of $412,431 as the approximate revenue from the Postal Service. The total expenditure amounted to $371,486 which, being deducted from the revenue of $412,431, leaves a profit of $40,945.
The Siberian route for transmission of mails to Europe has become increasingly popular with residents in Hong Kong as well as in China. The Shanghai Agency commenced to forward mails to Europe viâ Dalny and Harbin on September 3rd. The approximate time occupied in transmission of letters by this route from London to Shanghai was 16 to 18 days, to Tientsin 16 days, Weihaiwei 18 days, and Hong Kong 20 to 23 days.
XI.-MILITARY EXPENDITURE.
The Colony contributed $1,250,168 (being the statutory contribution of 20 per cent. of the revenue) towards the cost of the maintenance of the regular forces in the Colony, including barrack services and defence works.
The expenditure on the Volunteers, which is entirely borne by the Colony, was $45,554, compared with $45,253 in 1907.