D 12
4. Steam-launches.
18. On the 31st December, 1923, there were 438 steam-launches (including licensed motor boats) employed in the harbour. Of these 390 were licensed for the conveyance of passengers, etc., 31 were the property of the Colonial Government, and 17 belonged to the Imperial Government, comprising 3 Military and 14 Naval. In addition to the above there were 25 motor boats privately owned for pleasure and private purposes.
Two coxswains' certificates were suspended for incompetence or negligence in the performance of their duties; one for six months and the other for three months.
Six hundred and fifty-six (656) engagements and six hundred and forty (640) discharges of Masters and Engineers were made during the year.
5. Emigration and Immigration.
19. One hundred and twenty thousand, two hundred and twenty-four (120,224) emigrants left Hongkong for various places during the year 1923 (98,393 in 1922). Of these 62,679 were carried in British ships and 57,545 in Foreign ships.
One hundred and twenty-one thousand one hundred and two (121,102) returning emigrants were reported to have been brought to Hongkong from the several places to which they had emigrated either from this Colony or from Coast Ports, as against 143,547 in 1922. Of these, 65,200 arrived in British ships and 55,902 in Foreign ships.
6. Registry, etc., of Shipping.
20. During the year 50 ships were registered under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts, and 24 Certificates of Registry cancelled. 215 documents, etc., were dealt with in connection with the Act, the fees on which amounted to $2,814 as compared with $3,412 in 1922.
7. Marine Magistrate's Court.
21. Two hundred and sixty-eight (268) cases were heard in the Marine Magistrate's Court (306 in 1922). Boarding ships without permission, failing to observe the Rule of the Road, making fast to steamers while under way, neglecting to exhibit the Regulation lights, being in Causeway Bay Harbour of Refuge without permit, being within 100 yards from low water mark during prohibited hours without permit and carrying passengers in excess were the principal offences.