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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
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transport rates. The consumption of Kerosine Oil was about the same as in 1911, but prices were lower than in previous years owing to severe competition between the two importing Companies. The consumption was interfered with in the latter half of the year by difficulty of native junk transportation through piracy. The Flour trade made great strides, there being imported nearly 200,000 bags of American Flour more than in 1911, which was a record year, but fluctuations in prices resulted in heavy losses to importers and there was much speculation. The demand for Rice was at first small but increased substantially, notably from Japan. There were considerable fluctuations in the price of Opium mostly in a downward direction and during the revolution Patna declined to $2,965. Violation of treaty rights, extensive smuggling of uncertificated opium and presidential mandates ordering the entire abolition of the trade within the year all contributed to a situation which was extremely anxious for those interested. The total shipping entered and cleared amounted to 488,649 vessels of 36,735,149 tons, the decrease as compared with 1911 being due entirely to a large falling off in the number of steam launches and junks formerly employed in local trade.
Public Works.-The new building for the Courts of Justice was completed in the beginning of the year and was formally opened by His Excellency the Governor on 15th January. The following other buildings were also completed:-Additional Storey and new Wing to Yaumati English School: Market and Slaughter House, Aberdeen: Stables near the Disinfecting Station, Yaumati: Lighthouse and Quarters, Kap Sing Island: Additional Wing to the Maternity Hospital. The construction of the road on the east side of the Peak Tramway connecting Chamberlain and Plantation Roads was completed and extended down the hillside towards Barker Road with which it will eventually be connected. Sundry improvements were carried out to the Bonham and Wongneichong Roads, and the forming of the streets.