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The census to be taken in 1921—the first since 1911—will give data for estimating the extent of the overcrowding, which is probably due to some extent to the unsettled state of the neighbouring provinces of China.
In connection with anti-plague measures directed against rat infestation of houses, 174 ground surfaces have been cemented in Victoria and 148 in Kowloon (307 and 55 in 1919) while 198 buildings have had rat holes filled with cement in Victoria and 101 in Kowloon (928 and 726 in 1919).
Obstructions have been removed from backyards in 50 houses in Victoria and 21 in Kowloon (153 and 46 in 1919).
Sanitary nuisances were dealt with by notice to the number of 6,197 in Victoria and 2,193 in Kowloon (9,617 and 3,610 in 1919), and buildings nuisances were dealt with to the number of 1,612 in Victoria and 1,860 in Kowloon (2,922 and 377 in 1919).
Notices to cease permitting mosquitoes to breed on premises were served to the number of 121 in Victoria and 63 in Kowloon.
During the year 4 public water flushed latrines have been provided and 213 water closets installed in private dwellings.
By the Public Works Department additional training of nullahs has been carried out to the extent of 4,708 feet, and scavenging lanes have been provided to the extent of 3,883 feet.
METEOROLOGICAL RETURNS.
The rainfall for the year was remarkably high there being 107.88 inches as compared with 76 inches in 1919, 101.6 inches in 1918 and 81.48 in 1917.
The following table gives the meteorological data recorded by the Royal Observatory during the year.
Month Barometer at M.S.L. TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY, Rel. Cloudiness Sunshine WIND Rain ins. Max. Mean Min. p.c. p.c. hours Direction vel. miles p.h. ins. January 30.19 64.9 59.1 54.3 55 0.29 34 226.1 E by N 10.3 0.065 February 30.14 62.4 58.8 55.9 84 0.42 98 24.6 E 12.8 2.640 March 30.08 66.7 62.4 59.3 81 0.49 90 82.6 E 15.1 1.390 April 29.97 73.3 69.3 66.5 81 0.61 90 73.6 E 14.0 8.265 May 29.79 80.1 76.1 73.1 88 0.79 83 135.1 E by S 14.0 18.155 June 29.71 85.0 81.0 77.9 83 0.88 71 148.1 S 10.4 15.555 July 29.62 87.0 82.6 79.1 79 0.86 79 203.0 SE by E 12.6 24.040 August 29.79 85.6 81.2 77.6 81 0.92 85 0.02 S 9.8 ... September ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 137.5 E 10.4 10.975 October 29.98 80.6 76.3 72.5 70 0.64 ... 241.0 E by N 10.3 6.190 November 30.06 75.0 70.9 67.4 75 0.57 71 105.8 ENE 12.0 7.045 December 30.10 68.7 64.8 61.3 71 0.47 79 105.1 ENE 12.0 1.810 Mean or Total 29.93 76.2 72.0 68.6 78.3 0.65 74.4 1695.6 E 11.97 107.88Page 11