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passing of the Piracy Prevention Ordinance referred to under the head of Legislation. In accordance with its provisions vessels sailing to ports on the southern coast of China, which are licensed to carry passengers, have to comply with certain stringent regulations.
With the assistance of the Chinese Government and the Macao Authorities the Hongkong Police were enabled to trace the perpetrators of both these outrages. They were tried by the Authorities in the Kwangtung Province, and 17 of those concerned in the “Tai On" piracy and 9 of those concerned in the "Childar" piracy were executed at Canton.
2. In the month of July very serious floods occurred in the Fu and West Rivers and an immense tract of country bordering on these rivers was submerged. Great damage was done to embankments which protect the riverine fields and much suffering was occasioned to a large population who were deprived of food and shelter.
The Government contributed a sum of $50,000 in aid of a Relief Fund and a representative Committee was appointed to raise public subscriptions and administer the fund. Including the Government contribution a sum of over $349,000 was raised, the greater portion of which was devoted to the repair by the villagers of broken embankments. A large sum was also spent in sending food into the district at the beginning of the emergency.
The Committee worked in co-operation with the Charitable Societies in Canton who displayed their usual energy and generosity in organising relief, and by and with the authority of the Chinese Authorities who rendered every facility to the Members of the Committee who supervised work and relief in the district assigned to them.
3. The outbreak of war with Germany and Austria and later with Turkey produced a novel and trying situation in which the entire Community showed a most commendable spirit. Offers of assistance from all classes and races were tendered and conspicuous in their proffers of help were the members of the Chinese Community. Practically the whole of the British male population, including very many of Indian, Portuguese and Chinese race, not already enrolled gave their services to the Volunteers, the Volunteer Reserves and the Special Police Reserve. Their services were most valuable and their public spirit rendered possible a considerable reduction in the regular Garrison for duty elsewhere.
The following Companies and organisations lent valuable assistance to the Government:
The Tramway Companies and the Star Ferry Company
who conveyed soldiers and volunteers free of charge.