6. The rainfall for 1936 was 69.77 inches. The mean temperature of the air was 71.8° against an average of 71.9°. The maximum gust velocity of the wind was at the rate of 132 m.p.h. from E. on August 17th.
7. The development of Hong Kong as an Airport was a feature of the year. A weekly mail and passenger service by Imperial Airways between Hong Kong and Penang, connecting with the London-Singapore-Australia service, was inaugurated with the arrival on 24th March, of the R.M.A. "Dorado"
On 5th November, a regular mail and passenger service between Hong Kong, Canton and Shanghai was inaugurated by the China National Aviation Corporation.
On 23rd October, the Pan American Airways' "Philippine Clipper" arrived in Hong Kong on an experimental trans-Pacific flight.
8. A Commission appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to investigate the whole question of Mui Tsai in Hong Kong and Malaya and of any surviving practices in those territories of transferring women and children for valuable consideration, whether on marriage or adoption, or in any other circumstances, and to report to the Secretary of State on any legislative or other action which they may consider practicable and desirable in relation to these matters", and consisting of Sir Wilfrid Woods, Miss Picton-Turbervill and Mr. C. A. Willis, arrived in the Colony on 14th May. After completing its investigations the Commission left Hong Kong on 6th June.
9. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Andrew Caldecott, Kt., C.M.G., C.B.E., paid an official visit to Canton from 17th to 19th September.
The visit was returned by His Excellency General Huang Mu Sung, Chairman of the Kwangtung Provincial Government, and His Honour Mr. Tsang Yang Fu, Mayor of Canton, who arrived in Hong Kong on 4th November and left on 6th November.
10. His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Little, K.C.B. arrived in the Colony on 9th January to assume the post of Commander-in-Chief, China Station, in succession to Admiral Sir Frederic Dreyer, K.C.B., C.B.E.
11. The Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith returned to the Colony on 26th November to assume the post of Colonial Secretary in succession to Sir Thomas Southorn, K.B.E., C.M.G. who departed on leave on 2nd May prior to assuming the post of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia.
12. Among the Honours conferred by His Majesty during the course of the year were:
C.M.G. The Hon. Mr. Edwin Taylor.
O.B.E. (Civil Division) Dr. W. B. A. Moore.
M.B.E. Dr. R. McLean Gibson.