HONG KONG, 1909.
157
23
extension of Victoria Gaol and it was found possible by pulling down the offices and stores and re-erecting them in another position with economy of space, to make room for a ward containing 78 cells with yard attached. A contract for this work was let at the beginning of the current 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 the New Territories, New Kowloon, and the Army and Navy Establishments. The estimated population at the middle of the year under review was 428,888, as follows:-
Non-Chinese Civil Community Chinese Population- Hong Kong 14,000 199,550 Kowloon 74,600 46,240 Floating Population 2,770 Mercantile Marine 4,500 Army (average strength) 2,217 Navy (average strength) 6,717 New Territories (exclusive of Kowloon) 85,011 Total 323,160 428,888(b.)-PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION.
During the year under review considerable progress has been made in rendering existing domestic buildings rat-proof as a preventive of plague, 391 ground surfaces of houses have been repaired, and 1,048 buildings have had rat-runs filled up with cement. In addition 20 basements illegally inhabited have been vacated.
New buildings (domestic) to the number of 128 were erected during the year and in these the effect of the present Ordinance is seen in the increased amount of open space about the houses, which the law requires. Scavenging lanes which have to be provided in the rear of new houses also increase the open space about them and tend to reduce overcrowding.
The general death-rate for the year was 21.68 per 1,000 among the Chinese community and 12.45 per 1,000 among the Non-Chinese community as compared with 28.35 and 14.78 respectively during 1908.
During the year there were 108 deaths from plague compared with 986 in 1908 and 198 in 1907.