1920-1930
79
469
disaster: faulty navigation: rescue work praised, "specially Capt. E. R. G. R. Evans, R.N." (11/5). Private Visit of H.I.H. the Crown Prince of Japan en route for Europe (10/3). Commission of Inquiry into Child Labour appointed by H.E. the Governor (24/3). Recommendations of commission published (27/10). Suggestion that rates on tenements be increased from 13 to 20 per cent. not approved (7/4). Proposals for new and increased stamp duties introduced in the Legislative Council (14/4). Chamber of Commerce protests against new stamp duties and suggests Government loans instead (21/4). Stamp Ordinance passed into law (30/4). Inauguration of Sir William Brunyate, K.C.M.G., as Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong University. Honorary degree of LL.D. conferred upon Dr. G. P. Jordan (7/4). Scheme outlined for transferring the Diocesan Boys' School to Kowloon (19/5). Suspension of Banque Industrielle de Chine; many small investors affected (2/7). The removal of military establishments from central districts discussed by Legislative Council (1/9). Major-General Sir John Fowler, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., appointed to the China Command (12/10). Foundations of the new Statue Pier begun (1/11). First annual meeting of the S.P.C.A. (29/11). Death of Sir Boshan Wei Yuk, Kt., C.M.G. (16/12).
Trade & Industry.-Exchange in the opening days of the year stood at 3/12. A rapid fall to 2/5 occurred and, in March, it stood at 2/23. April to September saw a steady recovery and, in October, it reached 2/11. Thenceforward, there was a decline until the end of the year, the lowest figure touched being 2/63. Cotton varied in price from about 7d. to 1/2; in yarn there were fairly heavy fluctuations and the results of the year were satisfactory. Japanese competition was not severe. The piece goods market opened with considerable supplies of high-priced stocks which could not be cleared owing to the shipment of cheaper stocks from Shanghai, while political disturbances in the interior stifled the demand. The de-