M.9
The rainfall for the year (101.605 inches) was considerably more than in 1917 (81.485 inches) and is above the average of the last decade.
POPULATION.
The distribution of population estimated to the middle of 1918 was as follows:-
Non-Chinese Civil Population, ...
City of Victoria (including the Peak), ... 299,450
Kowloon (including New Kowloon), ... 13,500
Chinese Civil Population:
Villages of Hongkong, ... 15,300
New Territories (land), ... 80,200
Population afloat, ... 93,400
Total Chinese Population, ... 561,500
Total Civil Population, ....... 548,000 + 13,500 + 15,300 + 80,200 + 93,400 = 750,400 is not shown, instead it is shown as 848,950 is not shown, the actual number is 299,450 + 13,500 + 15,300 + 80,200 + 93,400 + 59,650 (boat population, see below) + ... (non-shown) = 561,500 (Chinese) + 299,450 + 13,500 (Non-Chinese) = 874,450 is not shown, the actual figure is 848,950 is not in the original text, the original text is 299450 + 13500 = 312950 (Non-Chinese total) and 15300 + 80200 + 93400 + 59650 = 248550 ( part of chinese total, 561500) so 312950 + 561500 = 874450, the original text shows Total Civil Population as 848950 (not shown in this snippet), so the actual total is
The population figures have been estimated by the usual method based on the natural increase, as shown by the census returns of 1906 and 1911.
There is no means of estimating the number of Chinese in the Colony at any given time except by a census, and until a new census is taken the present estimated population figures must be considered to be quite unreliable and are in all probability much too low.
The civil population consists chiefly of male adults but owing to the disturbances in China during the last few years, which resulted in the immigration of refugees and their families, the proportion of females to males appears to be increasing.
The boat population numbered 59,650 and the registered boats belonging to the port and villages of Hongkong are as follows:-
Passenger boats, classes A and B, 1,074 Lighters, cargo and water boats, 1,747 Other boats, 12,538 Fish drying hulks, 8 1 Total, 15,367The licensed boats in the New Territories numbered 11,430.