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16
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
Native Tobacco.-The output of last year has been well maintained and its use for the manufacture of cigarettes has increased 20 to 30 per cent.
Tinned Goods.-The market has been very poor and business has fallen off 25 per cent.
Samshu.-The Superintendent of Imports and Exports reports that the trade remained steady during the first half of the year but during the second half there was a large falling off in the amount of spirit both imported and locally distilled.
Vinegar-Merchants report that the business has remained much the same as last year.
Knitted Vests and Socks.-The market has been poor and business has gone down about one third. Japanese competition continues very keen.
Leather and Hides.-The price has advanced considerably and good business has been done but the supply is short.
Ginger and Preserves.-Owing to the European war this business, on which the Germans had a strong hold, has gone off 30 per cent.
Soy.-Exporters again report a poor market. Business has been reduced by 40 per cent.
Paper.-Business shows a further decrease of 20 per cent.
Vermilion-The increase last year has been arrested by reason of the European war and business has fallen off 25 per cent.
Lard. This trade, which made much good progress during 1913, has since the commencement of the war fallen off 30 per cent.
(c.)-FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hongkong supports itself by deep-sea fishing, in which pursuit a large number of junks are engaged. The villages of Aberdeen, Stanley, Shaukiwan, and also many in the New Territories, are largely dependent upon this industry for their prosperity. Fresh-water fish is imported from Canton and the West River. There are oyster beds of considerable value in Deep Bay.
(2.)—FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, AND BOTANY.
On the bare hills north of Samshuipo 28,000 pine tree seedlings, one year old, were planted, and in the same locality 7,000 pits were sown with pine tree seeds.
In the Tytam catchment area 15,000 pits were sown with pine tree seeds and at Aberdeen 10,000 pits.
On grassy hills west of the south face of the Beacon Hill tunnel 185 lb. of pine tree seeds were sown and 235 lb. on similar hills in the Kanghau valley.
About 70,000 pine tree seedlings were raised for planting in 1915. Three thousand broad-leaved trees were planted in the Tytam catchment area and 2,000 in the Kowloon catchment area.