In this connection it is interesting to note that during the past twenty years the average tonnage of Ocean vessels visiting the Colony has risen from 1,182.3 tons to 2,390.4 tons.
The average tonnage of River steamers entered during the year decreased from 665.5 tons to 620.6 tons, that of British River steamers from 687 to 640.4 tons, and that of Foreign River steamers from 565.2 to 538.1 tons.
A comparison between the years 1908 and 1909 is given in the following table :-
1908 1909 Increase Decrease Class of Vessels No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage British Ocean-going 3,869 7,505,870 4,076 7,735,927 207 230,057 Foreign Ocean-going 4,132 7,397,836 4,318 7,857,908 186 460,072 British River Steamers 6,246 4,287,482 5,780 3,701,754 466 585,728 Foreign River Steamers 1,297 733,065 1,370 735,682 73 2,617 Steamships under 60 tons (Foreign Trade) 4,060 181,142 3,160 140,484 900 40,658 Junks, Foreign Trade Total Foreign Trade 22,306,637 22,415,125 Steam-launches plying in Waters of Colony, Local Trade 445,724 439,988 Junks, Local Trade 10,460,682 10,328,400 Grand Total 34,615,841 34,830,845 3,013 42,128 743,735,474 2,109 626,386 5,736 132,238,798 7,845 758,668 Net 2,087,320 2,547 532,112*Including 16,808 Conservancy and Dust Boats of 862,256 tons.
25
19,094
This table shows an increase in British Ocean Shipping of 207 ships of 230,657 net register tons, or of 5.3 per cent. in numbers and 3 per cent. in tonnage, which points to a continuance of the revival of trade noted in my report for 1908. The improvement has been continuous throughout the year.