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During the year there were 108 deaths from Plague compared with 986 in 1908 and 198 in 1907.
There were 2,514 deaths from Respiratory Diseases amongst the Chinese, 751 of which were due to Phthisis, a percentage of 10.7% of the total deaths amongst that community.
Beri-beri caused 545 deaths—as against 736 in 1908.
The deaths from Malaria were 420 as against 499 in 1908, and 579 in 1907. Military returns of admissions to hospital for Malaria show a reduction in the incidence of this disease, as compared with the year 1908. There were 268 admissions in 1909 being a ratio per thousand of the Garrison of 59, against 515 in 1908 (115 per thousand).
Owing to the general improvement in the sanitary condition of the Colony and to the simplification of the methods of dealing with Plague cases and Plague-infected houses since the publication of the final Report of the Indian Plague Commission in 1908, it has been found possible to reduce the number of Sanitary Inspectors by the abolition of five special Plague Inspectors whose duties are now performed by the District Inspectors. It has also been possible to effect a very considerable economy in the matter of the disinfection of Plague-infected houses, as a cheap pulicide is now used in the place of the more expensive disinfectants.
(C.) CLIMATE.
The average monthly temperature throughout the year was 72.7° F. as compared with 71.8° F. in 1908 and 72.0° F. during the ten preceding years. The mean maximum monthly temperature was attained in August, when it reached 87·5° F., and the mean minimum monthly temperature was recorded in February, when it was 57·0° F. The highest recorded temperature during the year was 90·8° F. on the 30th July, and the lowest 48·7° F. on the 8th February.
The total rainfall for the year was 75·72 inches as compared with an average of 80·79 inches during the ten preceding years. The wettest month was October with 23·98 inches, the dryest, December, when no rainfall was recorded. The greatest amount of rain which fell on any one day was 6·37 inches on the 19th October, while no rain fell on 220 days of the year. The mean relative humidity of the atmosphere for the year was 77 per cent., as compared with an average of 77 per cent. during the ten preceding years. The average daily amount of sunshine was 5·4 hours being 48 per cent. of the possible duration.
These figures are those recorded at the Observatory, Kowloon, and there is a very considerable divergence between that place and Hongkong (low levels), the Peak district, or Tai Po (New Territories), both in rainfall, temperature and humidity.
X-POSTAL SERVICE.
The total receipts paid into the Treasury in 1909 by the Postal Department amounted to $657,027.65 from which sum $212,981.07 was transferred to other heads of General Revenue under which fees