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The wind velocity was considerably below normal in January, March, April, May, and October. In July, it was normal and in the remaining months, it was slightly below normal. The mean velocity for the year was 107 m.p.h. as against 120 m.p.h. in 1920 and 127 m.p.h. for the past 38 years. The maximum velocity for one hour as recorded by the Beckley Anemograph was 51 miles at 11 a.m. on July 24th as against 51 miles in 1920 and 108 for the past 38 years. The maximum squall velocity, as recorded by the Dines-Baxendell Anemograph, was at the rate of 69 m.p.h. at 5h. 53m. a.m. on September 3rd as against 61 m.p.h. in 1920 and 105 m.p.h. for the past 12 years.
The climate of Hongkong is similar in its broad features to that of Kowloon and the New Territories, but at the higher levels, from 1,400 to 1,800 feet above sea level, the temperature is usually from 3° to 8° lower than at the Observatory, Kowloon. The humidity is usually greater than in Kowloon and approaches saturation for several days at a time during March and April when mist is very prevalent. In summer, the city of Victoria, and the rising terraces behind it, derive little or no benefit from the SW monsoon, being sheltered by steep hills from SE to SW. In winter, it is exposed to the NE monsoon, which occasionally blows along the harbour through Lyemun Pass with considerable violence. On the other hand, the south-west side of the Island is protected from the NE monsoon in winter and enjoys the benefit of the SW monsoon in summer.
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES.
The total revenue from the postal service in 1921 amounted to $644,157.54 being $118,035.46 more than that collected in 1920. The net expenditure amounted to $261,077.84. The balance of revenue over expenditure amounted to $383,079.70.
The revenue collected in 1921 from radio-telegrams amounted to $19,082.98 being $4,491.25 more than that collected in 1920. Advices of vessels signalled at the lighthouses yielded $670.60, and semaphore messages $3.30, making a total of $19,756.88 for the telegraph service. The expenditure amounted to $45,592.19. The number of radio-telegrams forwarded during the year was 2,235 consisting of 30,239 words, and 6,182 received consisting of 82,513 words.
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.'s contract mail service between the United Kingdom and the Far East was resumed with the despatch of the s.s. Nellore from Hongkong on the 21st December, 1921.
A. G. M. FLETCHER,
Colonial Secretary.
8th August, 1922.