importation of rice into Cuba brought temporary relief. The improvement was, however, shortlived in consequence of competition from Germany where considerable stocks of rice had been accumulated, which on account of the depreciation of the marks could be re-exported at prices considerably lower than those prevailing in the East.
Pilferage of cargo in transit which had caused the greatest anxiety to the commercial community in all parts of the world showed a distinct diminution towards the end of the year, largely owing to increased Police patrol services and to more efficient control exercised by the various steamship owners, by wharf companies, and by other interests involved.
Considerable improvement was shown during the year in the mail service between Great Britain and the Far East and the delays in the transmission of telegrams which had prevailed since the war were substantially reduced by the completion of a new cable from London to Singapore.
The year was marked by further strikes affecting mechanics and skilled labour generally, resulting in advances of wages by some 30%.
The year opened with Exchange at 3/2. A rapid fall was registered until on March 7th the rate was 2/2¼, the lowest for the year. Silver then reacted with the result that Exchange gradually advanced with one or two setbacks until the figure of 2/11 was reached in the early part of October. Later a steady decline set in until on December 31st the rate was quoted at 2/7 for T/T on London.
During recent years great and rapid development has taken place on the Kowloon Peninsula. Extensive garden lots have been converted into building sites and rapidly built over; low-lying areas have been filled in by the spoil from the levelling of other parts and expansion has therefore been possible over both; while the area available for building purposes is being extended by large reclamations on the sea front. The increase in popularity of this district is markedly shown in the latest census statistics; during the last ten years, the population of Kowloon has increased by 55,951 or 82.96 per cent., a phenomenal increase for a district which in 1881 numbered only 9,021 inhabitants.
The decennial census of the civil population of the Colony was taken in the Island of Hongkong and Kowloon on the night of April 24th and in the New Territories between March 24th and April 24th, the Floating Population being enumerated between April 23rd and 26th. The total population was found to be 625,166, an increase of 168,427 or 36.87 per cent. on the figures for 1911.