434
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
44
1907.
Governor Sir Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., 29.7.1907.
(Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., administered from 21.4.1907 to 28.7.1907).
Principal Events.-Commission appointed to enquire into administration of Sanitary Laws reported (19/3). Claim for compensation, on account of lives lost in Sainum piracy, settled. Survey of Chinese Section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway commenced. H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught accompanied by H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia of Connaught visited the Colony (6/2). Sir M. Nathan appointed Governor of Natal; succeeded by Sir F. J. D. Lugard, who was appointed 1/5 and arrived in Colony 29/7.
Trade & Industries.-Continued depression of trade accentuated towards the end of the year by worldwide restriction of commerce following upon financial crisis in America. Shipping in particular suffered. The local sugar industry held its own but shares in the majority of local undertakings further depreciated in value. A project to start a Brewery made headway. Development of iron mining in N. T. arrested. Tin smelting increased. Assessment made in July for year 1907-8 showed that rateable value for whole Colony had decreased by 2.52%. Opium Farm let for 3 years at $1,452,000 p.a. Loss and inconvenience caused by depreciation of subsidiary currency and over-issue of sub. coin by the Canton Mint. Exchange averaged 2/1-8499 for the year and stood at 1/9-13 on December 31st.
Public Works.-The Tytam Tuk Waterworks (1st Section) were practically completed affording a further permanent storage of 195,914,000 gallons and of 210,370,000 with movable weir added. A Mortuary