20
SLIPWAYS.
New Kowloon.-It is proposed to use the Kai Tak Reclamation as a commercial aerodrome. A slipway 380 feet in length providing a depth of 6 feet of water at L.W.O.S.T. is under construction at the Eastern frontage of the reclamation.
SURVEYS.
Further triangulation was carried out to fix additional ground control stations required in connection with new map now in course of preparation.
VIII. Public Health.
The estimated population of the Colony is as follows:-
(1) Non Chinese
18,150
(2) Chinese:-
City of Victoria,
550,000
Villages of Hong Kong
43,000
Kowloon (and New Kowloon)
264,890
Population afloat
103,400
New Territories,
96,250
Total Chinese population
1,057,540
Total Civil population
1,075,690
The population of Hong Kong is a very variable one and, owing to the large unstable, floating population, and to partial birth registration, no reliable means are available for estimation.
For purposes of statistics, the estimated population of the New Territories has been subtracted.
The Crude Birth Rate for the year 1928 was 9.5 per 1,000; 9.2 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 20.4 per 1,000 among the non-Chinese as compared with 8.2 and 19.6 in 1927.
These figures are very inaccurate and unreliable owing to incomplete registration of Chinese births (especially females) and immigration. There are signs, however, that registration is increasing among the Chinese Community. The non-Chinese rate is more trustworthy.
The Crude Death Rate was 15.06 per 1,000; 15.14 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 11.20 per 1,000 among the non-Chinese. As registration is essential before burial can take place the figures for deaths are much more accurate and reliable.
The ratio of Infantile Deaths (under 1 year) to total deaths for the year 1928 was 29.5% which is midway between the figures for the years 1927 (31.6) and 1926 (27.3).
The Zymotic Death rate was .45.