1920-1930
41
431
of indentured labourers to S. Africa failed owing to local opposing interests and was abandoned after shipment of 1,746. Land Court determined 354,277 claims to land in N. T., where there was evidence of increasing prosperity. Mounted troop added to Volunteers and Vol. Reserve Association established.
Trade & Industries.-Cotton spinning did badly at commencement but better at end of year. Sugar industry brought large profits to refineries. Opium Farm let for 3 years at $2,200,000 p.a. reduced to $2,040,000 p.a. from 1/11. 3′ 6′′ EI. Tramway from Kennedy Town to Shau Ki Wan (9.4 m.) opened for traffic. Exchange averaged 1/10-07/16 for the year and stood at 1/11 on December 31st.
Public Works.-Praya Reclamation completed. Tytam Byewash Reservoir added 26,301,000 galls. to storage for City Waterworks; total capacity of storage reservoirs now 537,695,000 galls. Kennedy Town Cattle Depôt extended to hold 1,241 head. 2nd public bath-house (38 baths) opened at Tai Ping Shan. Gascoigne Road at Kowloon and 14 ft. road to Tai Po (16 m.) in N. T. completed. New Rifle Ranges provided behind Kowloon City.
Legislation.-Sugar Convention Ord. (No. 14) forbade importation of bounty-fed sugar. Pilots Ord. (No. 3) provided for exam. and licensing of Pilots. Hill Dist. Reservation Ord. (No. 4) reserved residential area at the Peak.
1905.
Governor Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G., 29.7.1904 to 20.4.1907.
war
Principal Events.-Russo-Japanese war and especially proximity of Russian fleet (April-May) and subsequent sinking of Br. S.S. "Oldhamia" (18/5) and "St. Kilda" (4/6) gave rise at H.K. to various questions