E 8
was
29. A new type of Chinese Spirit Shop licence introduced at a reduced fee for the benefit of Chinese Grocers, who in the poorer districts sell as a side line the cheaper kinds of spirit. Hitherto such shops have had to pay the full licence fee, which was a very heavy burden.
30. Revision of the Opium Ordinance was also taken in hand, but had not been finally approved by the end of the year. Apart from consolidation the object was to bring the law into accord with the opium position as it is today, embodying such of the recommendations of the League of Nations Commission as had been approved by the Conference at Bangkok.
## VI. TRADE STATISTICS
31. The Statistical Branch completed its first full year since its re-opening. With the co-operation of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce there has been considerable improvement in the way the returns have been rendered, and the average number of queries sent out every month has been somewhat over 2,000, as compared with over 4,000 during the first year. The monthly reports have been published before the end of the ensuing month with great regularity. It is believed that considerably greater accuracy was attained than in 1930, as the staff became more thoroughly trained and returns were more accurately rendered. A summary of each month's report has been furnished to the press, as soon as the report was in the hands of the printers. Close touch was maintained with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and every assistance required was furnished; lists of importers and exporters of particular articles were furnished frequently.
32. The structural stability of the old building in which the office is housed again gave rise to some anxiety, and the verandahs on the East side were found to be unsafe, and were removed. Routine instructions have been given that the office is to be vacated at once as soon as the No. 9 Typhoon signal is hoisted.
33. The demand for the monthly report from outside the Colony has slightly increased, but demand for the report locally still remains rather meagre. There is a small demand locally for advance information in respect of special commodities.
34. A wholesale Index Number was calculated month by month and quarterly averages were published. It was found inadvisable to publish month by month, as in off seasons a chance consignment of a special brand of a certain article appearing by itself will show a false sudden movement, while