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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
82
in Medicine and Surgery at Hong Kong University (7/4). The Prince visited Kowloon. Departure for Japan (8/4). Retirement from public life of Mr. Ho Kam-tong (1/5). Death of the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak (3/5). Launchmen strike (19/5). Ewo War Memorial unveiled by Mr. D. G. M. Bernard (14/6). Peak Hospital leased to Government (8/9). Dr. Jordan Memorial Library opened (15/9). Macao Steamer s.s. Sui An pirated (19/11). British Postal Agencies in China closed (30/11). Mui Tsai Bill introduced into the Legislative Council (28/12).
Trade & Industry.-Exchange opened at 2/7/ and closed at the end of the year at 2/24. A noteworthy feature of the yarn trade was the increasing demand in the South for yarn from Shanghai and Japan, and absence of demand for Indian yarn. In piece goods the Manchester market fluctuated during the year, but the prevailing tendency was toward weakness. Merchants exercised extreme caution in the woollen trade and sales were made only to reliable dealers who had stood by their contracts during the 1920-21 crisis. The Sundries trade was on the whole disappointing. German competition made itself felt. Native competition becomes stronger yearly. Siam and Singapore shippers took advantage of shipping facilities to wrest the rice trade with U.S.A. and West Indies from Hong Kong. In sugar, soy, and bristles the market was steady and business moderate. Very small shipments of wood oil were made due to disturbed conditions. The price of groundnuts dropped from the beginning to the middle of the year but increased later. Prices of feathers had an upward tendency in consequence of bigger demand from Europe. Business in metals was difficult. The demand for Yunnan Tin which started low increased during the later part of the year.
Public Works.-1. COMPLETED :-(a) Outpatients Department, Government Civil Hospital; Extension to Fire Brigade Station, Kowloon; new Class rooms, Kowloon British School: Land Bailiff's Quarters, Pingshan.