# 1904-1919
# HONG KONG, 1911
## (c.) CLIMATE.
217
23.
The average monthly temperature throughout the year was 72.1° F. as compared with 72.0° F. in 1910 and an average of 72.1° F. during the ten preceding years. The maximum mean monthly temperature was attained in June, when it reached 87.2° F., and the mean minimum monthly temperature was recorded in January, when it was 55.5° F. The highest recorded temperature during the year was 93.1° F. on the 25th August, and the lowest 47.1° F. on the 24th February.*
The total rainfall for the year was 90.55 inches, as compared with an average of 80.73 inches during the ten preceding years. The wettest month was August with 30.06 inches, the driest, February, when no rain was recorded. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 8.61 inches on the 5th August, while no rain fell on 220 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 5.7 hours, being 50 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 revenue from the postal service in 1911 was $399,217.15 and total expenditure $422,267.97. The result of the year's working shows a deficit of $23,050.82. Direct exchange of money orders with the Philippine Islands commenced on 1st July, and a revised parcel arrangement with Siam came into operation on 26th September.
## XI-GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
During the past year no general assessment was made. The existing valuation for 1910-11 was ordered to be adopted as the valuation for 1911-12, the difference in rateable value being the result of interim assessments. There is an increase in the rateable value of the whole Colony of 0.71 per cent. In the city of Victoria, the Hill District, Shaukiwan, Saiwanho, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong villages, Kowloon Point, Yaumati, Mongkoktsui, and New Kowloon there is an increase ranging from 10.59 to 0.29 per cent., the largest increase being in New Kowloon. There is no
* These are the temperatures recorded by the Observatory at sea-level. The temperature in the high levels at the Peak averages some 10° less.