D 48
Stevedoring is in the hands of private firms, and the charges average at about 15 cents per ton for General Cargo. The average rate of discharge of General Cargo is 90-120 tons per hour working 6 gangs. The wharves have cranes installed capable of lifts up to 25 tons.
Messrs. Alfred Holt & Co., and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., Limited, have a total fleet of 12 Tow-boats and 101 Lighters, and The Hong Kong Tug and Lighterage Co., Limited has a fleet of 2 towboats and 23 lighters. Lighter capacity ranges from 100 to 500 tons. There are also a large number of native-owned Towboats and lighters of smaller capacity. The average lighterage rate for General Cargo is 40 cents per ton.
The A Waterboat Company, drawing its water from the Government reservoirs, has a fleet of 8 vessels carrying from 230 to 270 tons each. The average charge for water is 50 cents per ton.
The Harbour has a depth ranging from 24 to 78 feet I.W.O.S.T. The rise of Tide is about 8 feet O.S.T.
The Government imposes Light Dues of 2 cents per Registered ton on vessels entering the Port. A charge of $75 to $200 for ships of 400 to 2,000 tons, and over, is made for permission to work cargo on Sundays.
A large number of Motor-boats, Steam Launches and Sampans are available for communication between ships at buoys and the shore. A frequent service of Ferry Launches is maintained between Hong Kong Island and all parts of the mainland.
The Government maintains a Commercial Wireless Telegraph Station at Cape D'Aguilar which has an average day range of 350 Miles, and a night range of 700 Miles. Continuous watch is kept.