424
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
34
Legislation.-Volunteer Ord. (No. 4) superseded Ord. of 1882. Nethersole Hosp. (London Missionary Society) for Chinese women opened (5/9).
1894.
Principal Events. Some trouble caused by clan fight in March. First outbreak of bubonic plague, at its height between May and July, produced temporary exodus, estimated at 100,000, and great interference to trade. War between China and Japan, declared 1/8, for a time partially paralyzed Chinese markets. Caterpillar plague injured pine tree plantations. Severe typhoons (25/9 and 5/10). £140,000 of the 1886 4% loan of £200,000 converted to 3% at cost of £1,800 and balance of £60,000 redeemed from sinking fund; total loan now £341,800 of 3% stock. Hong Kong-Labuan (Borneo)-Singapore cable opened for traffic 4/5. Exchange averaged 2/2 for the year and stood at 2/- on December 31st.
Public Works.-New Slaughter Houses provided at Kennedy Town. Roads laid out in E. of Kowloon.
1895.
Principal Events.-Strike as protest against new lodging house regulations lasted from 23/3 to 4/4; on 27/3 over 20,000 coolies out.
Trade & Industries.-New British dollar introduced. General improvement in local stocks and undertakings. Opium Farm let for 3 years at $296,000 p.a. Exchange averaged 2/0 for the year and stood at 2/1§ on December 31st.
Public Works.-Resumption of insanitary properties at Tai Ping Shan completed. Central Market (138 shops and 150 stalls), commenced 1890, and Gaol extension (155 cells, etc.), commenced 1893, completed. Additional 4,400,000 gallons impounded at Pokfulam for City Waterworks; total capacity of storage reservoirs