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# Chapter X.

## COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORT.

The external communications of Hong Kong are excellent both by sea and by telegraph, cable and radio. As regards the former, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, the Blue Funnel Line, the Messageries Maritimes, and several other British and foreign companies maintain regular passenger and freight services between Hong Kong and Europe. The trans-Pacific communications are well served by the Canadian Pacific Steamship Ltd., the Dollar Line, the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and other steamship lines. To Australia three steamship companies, the Eastern and Australian, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and Australian and Oriental maintain regular passenger and freight services. In addition there are direct sailings to Africa, South America, and to New York. There is frequent and regular communication between Hong Kong and other Far Eastern ports in India, Java, Straits Settlements, Formosa, Indo-China, Japan and the China coast. Local steamship communication is by river steamer from Hong Kong to Canton and the West River ports with several sailings daily. In addition there is a vast traffic between Hong Kong and the adjacent provinces of China by junk and sampan.

2. The total shipping entering and clearing Ports in the Colony during the year 1934 amounted to 93,754 vessels of 41,914,022 tons which, compared with the figures for 1933 shows a decrease of 14,868 vessels, and 1,129,359 tons. Of the above, 44,043 vessels of 40,054,033 tons were engaged in Foreign Trade as compared with 51,492 vessels of 40,862,583 tons in 1933. There was an increase in British Ocean-going shipping of 9 vessels and 20,855 tons. Foreign Ocean-going vessels show a decrease of 388 vessels and 484,206 tons. British River Steamers showed a decrease of 320 vessels and 101,057 tons. Foreign River Steamers showed a decrease of 227 vessels and 60,299 tons. In steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in Foreign Trade there was a decrease of 1,425 vessels with a decrease in tonnage of 36,598 tons. Junks in Foreign Trade showed a decrease of 5,098 vessels and 147,245 tons. In Local Trade (i.e. between places within the waters of the Colony) there was a decrease in steam launches of 1,622 vessels with a decrease in tonnage of 42,389 tons. Junks in Local Trade show a decrease of 5,797 vessels and 278,420 tons.

3. The Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company (British) by means of three cables to Singapore, one direct and one each via Labuan and Cape St. James respectively, provides good connections with Europe via India, with Australia, and with the other British Colonies and Possessions. Their cable to Manila connection is made with the direct American

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