The office of Chairman of the Provincial Government was held throughout the year by General Chan Ming Shü.
The year showed a gratifying decrease in the number of piracies, the record though was somewhat marred by the piracy of the "Hai-ching" in December. The attack was however frustrated by the gallant efforts of the ship's officers and the co-operation of His Majesty's Navy.
The list of piracies which took place in 1929 is as follows:-
Piracy of fishing junk off Cheung Chau Island. Date 18th August, 1929. Piracy of the S.S. "Haiching". Date 8th December, 1929.
The year was rendered memorable by a slight change in the Constitution resulting in an increase in the numbers of the Legislative Council of the Colony. His Excellency the Governor on his return in January was able to announce the appointment of four additional members to the Council, two official and two unofficial. These seats were taken by the Harbour Master and the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, and by two unofficial members, the Honourable Mr. J. P. Braga, and the Honourable Dr. S. W. Ts'o, O.B.E., LL.D., who made the third Chinese representative.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, K.G., G.C.V.O., who had been entrusted with the mission to present the Order of the Garter to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan, passed through the Colony in April, arriving on the 25th, and leaving on the afternoon of the 27th in H.M.S. "Suffolk." Special arrangements were made for his reception and entertainment by the European and Chinese Communities, including the presentation of addresses on arrival at the City Hall, a dinner given by the General Chamber of Commerce, and a luncheon given by the Chinese Community. A reception and Garden Party on the Hong Kong Cricket Club ground took place on the afternoon of the 26th April. The Colony greatly enjoyed the honour of His Royal Highness' visit and all classes availed themselves of the opportunity of giving concrete evidence of their loyalty to the throne.
The honours conferred on residents of Hong Kong by His Majesty the King included the appointments of the following:-
Mr. Li Yau-tsun ............C.B.E.
Lieutenant Colonel L. G. Bird, D.S.O. ............O.B.E. (Military Division)
Mr. Cheng Cheuk-hin ....I.S.O.
Mr. P. Julyan .............I.S.O.
The Colony experienced a serious water shortage in the first half of the year which lasted until July 13th when a heavy fall of rain helped to remove further anxiety. The drought had lasted since the