1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1918.
413
9
During the year about 400 tons were exported to Japan, 1,200 tons to Shanghai and other China coasts ports, and 10,700 tons to Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.
Rattan and Fibre Furniture.-The value of rattan and fibre furniture exported during 1918 declined to $10,000 from $200,000. The value of rattan canes exported was about $1,600,000, and that of grass and reed was about $230,000, as against $1,500,000 and $130,000 respectively in 1917.
Native Tobacco.-Business was about the same as in 1917.
Tinned Goods.-The volume of business done during the year was about the same as in 1917.
Samshu.-The volume of business done during 1918 was about the same as in 1917.
Vinegar. The business was about the same as in 1917.
Knitted Vests and Socks.--Business declined by 20 per cent., but prices went up about 15 per cent.
Leather and Hides.-Business showed a decrease of over 30 per cent. Ginger and Preserves.-This has been a bad year, owing to the absence of orders from Europe and America.
Soy.-About 400 casks were exported in 1918 as compared with 950 cacks in 1917.
Paper.-Business in this article maintained the same level in 1918 as in 1917, though prices went up by over 30 per cent. Of the papers imported during the year about 80 per cent. were of Japanese manufacture.
Vermilion.-The business done in 1918 amounted to about $700,000, as compared with about $600,000 in 1917.
Lard-Business declined by 50 per cent. as compared with 1917.
(c)-FISHERIES.
A considerable proportion of the boat population of Hong Kong 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.
(d)—FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, AND BOTANY.
About 35,000 pine tree seedlings were planted on the hills in the vicinity of the Fanling Golf Course, over 8,000 in the Cheungshawan catchment area, and 1,000 on Cheung Chau Island.
On the hills east of the Fanling Golf Course, pine tree seeds were sown in situ from which about 105,000 trees have been raised,
At Aberdeen nearly 9,000 pine trees were raised from seeds sown in situ.
Creepers damaging trees in various plantations in Hong Kong were cut.
About 3,000,000 square feet of undergrowth were cleared in connection with anti-malarial measures.
In connection with survey and other works, about 4,500,000 square feet of undergrowth were cleared.
Vegetables were grown in the economic garden, Fanling, for demonstration purposes.
Page 420
Page 421