Appendix D.
REPORT OF THE HARBOUR MASTER AND DIRECTOR OF AIR SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 1938.
The year 1938 once more showed a further decrease in the amount of shipping using the Port of Hong Kong. Details of the comparison between the years 1937 and 1938 will be found in Table II.
2. Vessels employed in foreign trade entering and clearing showed a net decrease of 9,112 vessels and 6,661,340 tons, while local shipping showed a net increase of 2,862 vessels but a decrease of 206,664 tons.
3. British ocean-going shipping shows a decrease of 326 in numbers with a decrease of 312,456 tons,
4. Foreign ocean-going shipping shows a decrease of 2,070 vessels with a decrease of 5,133,209 tons. This large decrease is due to the complete cessation of Chinese shipping for the full year and the large decrease of Japanese shipping due to the Sino-Japanese conflict.)
5. The River-steamer trade shows a net decrease of 915 vessels and 212,044 tons. Foreign river-steamers have decreased by 1,191 in numbers and 614,251 tons, but British river steamers have increased by 276 vessels and 402,207 tons—there being two more vessels put on the Hong Kong to Macao service.
6. The Junk trade given in Tables IX to XI shows decreases in numbers and tonnage, in both Foreign and local trade. These decreases may be attributed to the continued Sino-Japanese conflict.)
7. In steamships not exceeding 60 tons there is a decrease in both numbers and tonnage. Details of launches entering and clearing are given in Tables XII and XIII.
8. On the 31st December, 1938, there were 229 launches and 200 motor boats employed in the harbour; of these 352 were licensed for the conveyance of passengers, 24 steam launches and 24 motor boats belonged to the Colonial Government, two steam launches, one steel motor barge and one motor launch belonged to the Military Authorities and nine steam launches, eight steam pinnaces and eight motor boats belonged to the Naval Authorities. There are also a number of motor yachts and motor boats owned for pleasure and private purposes.
Of the 352 vessels licensed for the conveyance of passengers, 167 were licensed for Class I, 69 for Class II, 57 for Class III and 59 for Class IV.
9. 507 engagements and 519 discharges of coxswains and engineers were recorded.
10. The passenger trade and number of emigrants departing from and arriving at this port are shown in Tables XXII to XXVIII.
11. Details of bunker coal and oil fuel shipped which will be found in Table XXIX show a decrease of 38,055 tons in bunker coal and 415 tons of fuel oil as compared with 1937.
12. The nationality of crews in British and Foreign ships is shown in Table VII.