at Nanning. The situation was relieved by the victory in the autumn of the Central Government over the North Western provinces and by the end of the year a settlement appeared to be in sight. Meanwhile the preoccupation of the authorities with the civil war has fostered the growth of what may prove a serious menace. Large areas of South and Central China are occupied and controlled by irregular organisations called by themselves 'Red armies' and by the Chinese authorities 'communist-bandits'.
The office of Chairman of the Kuangtung Provincial Government was held throughout the year by His Excellency General Chan Ming Shü, and no changes of importance occurred in official posts.
Two major piracies occurred during the year, those of the British S.S. "Helikon" and the Norwegian S.S. "Hirundo". The provincial government of Kuangtung has now established a naval station with a permanent piracy patrol of three gunboats in Bias Bay, and is constructing a wireless station there.
A disastrous accident occurred on board H.M.S. "Sepoy" on April 8th while she lay off Hong Kong, through the explosion of a depth charge, which resulted in the death of six of her complement.
The Colony was struck by the fringe of a typhoon on July 24th and some small damage was occasioned by landslides. Over seven inches of rain fell within 24 hours.
In January the Opium Commission of the League of Nations under the Chairmanship of Mr. E. E. Ekstrand arrived in the Colony and in April a conference of Far Eastern Meteorologists under the chairmanship of Mr. T. F. Claxton was held in Hong Kong.
His Excellency the Governor Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G., left on February 1st to assume the governorship of the Straits Settlements. He was succeeded by His Excellency Sir William Peel, K.B.E., C.M.G., who took the oath of office on May 9th. During the interval the Government was administered by the Honourable Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G.
Sir Joseph Kemp, Kt., K.C., C.B.E., succeeded Sir Henry Gollan, Kt., K.C., C.B.E., as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Distinguished visitors to the Colony during the course of the year included:--
T. I. H. Prince and Princess Takamatsu of Japan.
H. H. Prince Purachatra of Siam.
Mr. T. V. Soong, Finance Minister to the National Government of China.
His Excellency General Chan Ming Shu, Chairman of the Kuangtung Provincial Government.
His Excellency Senhor Tamagnini de Souza Barbosa, Governor of Macao.
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